We understand some people may be conflicted about the idea of taking non-vegetarian/vegan medication; however, we would urge everyone to take the medicines and vaccines they need.
Every year a flu vaccination programme is offered by the NHS. This year’s programme is being described as “vital” by health officials, due to risks involved with Covid-19 and flu fully circulating at the same time. Here is what we know about this year’s flu vaccination programme.
There are five different types of flu vaccine being used in the UK this year. They are:
| Name of vaccine | Description* | Vegetarian | Vegan |
| aQIV | Grown in fertilised hen’s eggs; chick embryos are killed during the production process; includes a fish-derived ingredient (squalene). | No | No |
| QIVc | Grown in cells, rather than in eggs. The cell line used (called “MDCK”) originated from a dog’s kidney in 1958. It is a “continuous cell line”, meaning no new cells have been taken since then. | No | No |
| QIVr | Grown in cells, rather than in eggs. The cell line used (called “Sf9”) originated from a moth caterpillar ovary in 1969. It is a “continuous cell line”, meaning no new cells have been taken since then. | No | No |
| QIVe | Grown in fertilised hen’s eggs; chick embryos are killed during the production process. | No | No |
| LAIV | Grown in fertilised hen’s eggs; chick embryos are killed during the production process; includes pork gelatine. Given as a nasal spray. | No | No |
There are slight differences in the flu vaccination programmes being offered in the four countries of the United Kingdom. The general guidance provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is as follows:
- For people aged 65 and over, aQIV is recommended. QIVc or QIVr can be offered as an alternative.
- For adults, including pregnant women, between the ages of 18 and 64, QIVc or QIVr is recommended. QIVe may be offered if QIVc or QIVr are not available.
- Children between the ages of 2 and 17 will be offered LAIV. For children who cannot have LAIV for medical reasons, QIVc will be offered instead. Parents/carers who refuse LAIV for their child due to its porcine (pork) gelatine content may request an injectable vaccine instead. QIVc will most likely be offered as an alternative.At-risk children under the age of 2 will be offered QIVe.
Further information about the UK’s flu vaccination programmes
England: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
Wales: https://gov.wales/national-influenza-immunisation-programme-2021-2022-whc2021004-html#section-63207
Scotland: https://www.nhsinform.scot/flu-vaccine/
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/flu-vaccine
*We aim to provide information about the main technologies used in the production of the vaccines in relation to animal-derived components. This information is not exhaustive, as not all information about vaccine production is in the public domain.
It is currently a regulatory requirement in most countries around the world, including the UK, that any vaccine released to the public is first tested on animals. We support the introduction of alternative methods to replace animal testing.
If you have any further questions, please email us at hello@vegsoc.org or call 0161 925 2000.