Mythbusters

What the experts say:

Independent authorities across the world from countries that compete with each other have approved the vaccine and not found any microchips.  The truth is that there are far easier ways to track the population (mobile phones/ bank cards, etc.) than biological trackers.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Vaccines allow your body to build immunity without the damaging effects the actual diseases can have.  COVID-19 can cause serious complications and can be deadly.  There are no specific treatments for COVID-19.  It is far smarter to avoid the risk.

(Source: World Health Organisation - How Do Vaccines Work?)

What the experts say:

There are strict protections in place to help ensure the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines. Before receiving validation from WHO and national regulatory agencies, COVID-19 vaccines must undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness.  Unprecedented scientific collaborations have allowed COVID-19 vaccine research, development, and authorisations to be completed in record time – to meet the urgent need for COVID-19 vaccines while maintaining high safety standards.  As with all vaccines, WHO and regulatory authorities will continuously monitor the use of COVID-19 vaccines to confirm that they remain safe for all who receive them.

(Source: World Health Organisation - Vaccine Safety Q&A)

What the experts say:

Even if you have already had COVID-19, WHO recommends that individuals be vaccinated. The protection that someone gains from having COVID-19 will vary from person to person, and it is also not known how long natural immunity might last.  Those who have previously had COVID-19 infection should still receive COVID-19 vaccination.

(Source: World Health Organisation - Information on COVID-19 Vaccines)

What the experts say:

COVID kills up to 10 times more than flu.  Research at John Hopkins University indicates that COVID is more fatal, impacts more people for longer and spreads faster than the flu.  Claiming that COVID is no more dangerous than the flu trivialises the destruction this virus has brought to many lives.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has found that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is effective at preventing serious side effects of COVID-19 infection that can cause hospitalisation and death.  The most common side effects from the vaccine are mild to moderate that usually resolve in a few days.  The most serious side effects are very rare but can cause blood clots with low platelets.  Recent data from the UK suggests the risk of serious sides effects is approximately four cases per million adults (1 case per 250 000) who receive the vaccine.  The WHO GACVS has also stated that the benefits of vaccination are far greater than the risk of the rare side effect.  In addition to the benefits in preventing severe disease and death due to COVID-19, the vaccine offers protection against overall COVID-19 and complications from ‘long COVID’ and death, potential protection for close contacts and the community by preventing transmission, and a risk reduction of severe disease from some variant strains of the virus.

(Source: WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) and Interim statement of the COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine).

What the experts say:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that if you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you.  There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.  In addition, there is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.  Like all vaccines, scientists are studying COVID-19 vaccines carefully for side effects now and will continue to study them for many years.

(Source: World Health Organisation - Vaccines Safety)

What the experts say:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever or pain or redness at the injection site.  Vaccine side effects are continually monitored by local authorities to detect rare adverse events.  Reported side effects to COVID-19 vaccines have mostly been mild to moderate and short-lasting.  They include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhoea, and pain at the injection site.  The chances of any of these side effects following vaccination differ according to the specific COVID-19 vaccine.

(Source: WHO - Vaccine Safety Q&A).

What the experts say:

There have been cases of an extremely rare specific type of blood clot with low platelets. The advice for certain groups and ages of the population has been updated.  Although the risk of these type of severe complications is rare, the guidance has been updated to ensure younger and healthier individuals have access to vaccines which provide a better benefit to risk profile.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

COVID is spreading in countries without 5G.  There is no scientific connection.  This myth started as the COVID outbreak coincided with 5G being rolled out in Wuhan.  It ignores the fact that 5G had been started in other areas of China before the COVID outbreak. COVID has also affected countries that do not have 5G. 

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

We want people to make their own minds up based on factual information, not myths. Most countries will rely on education rather than dictation to convince the population. However, it would be irresponsible of us not to highlight areas where we feel people are being misled - sometimes deliberately and dangerously.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contains no animal ingredients at all.  Declaring a product halal or haraam is a call for Islamic scholars who have studied on this for years.  The simple presence of a particular ingredient is not the only factor taken into account.  Most previous vaccines, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, have been declared halal by the majority of scholarly bodies worldwide. 

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Vaccines do not contain foetal cells.  Some vaccines (NOT the Pfizer / Moderna COVID vaccines) originally used very special foetal cells to grow the virus many decades ago.  The original cells were the only option at the time.  These cells are not present in current vaccines and have been declared acceptable to use by the majority of Islamic scholarly bodies worldwide.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Taking the vaccine is not against Islam.  Imam Ashraf from Port Talbot Mosque said:

“The vaccines currently being used in the UK, Oxford AstraZeneca and Pfizer, are permissible from an Islamic point of view.  I had the vaccine and have had no side effects.  I am feeling well.  If anyone were to ask me would I recommend it, then I would recommend it widely, to the Muslim community and to everyone.”

What the experts say:

The number of deaths that will occur before we possibly achieve herd immunity will be disastrous.  Herd immunity works if the majority of the population has had COVID.  Official data suggests over 2 million people in the UK have had COVID.  To achieve herd immunity, the number of deaths would increase dramatically and be disastrous for UK.

For more information, see link below re: Dr. Amer Hamed, Cardiology Consultant, British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) Founding Member and BIMA Welsh Lead.  He explains why simply waiting for herd immunity to Covid-19 isn’t an option.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Latest research suggests that two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccines are effective in protecting people from getting ill with the India (Delta) variant.  The recent variants that have spread around that world are thought to be more transmissible than the early COVID-19 strains.  

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

No, you cannot get COVID from the vaccine.  The COVID vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognise and fight the virus that causes COVID.  This process can cause side effects which are usually mild.  The current vaccines cannot make you sick with COVID.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

The immune system can take a number of days or weeks to generate an immune response before protection from the virus begins.  The COVID vaccine will reduce the chances of suffering from the serious complications of COVID.  No vaccine is 100% effective.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

We do not know how long protection remains after COVID infection, therefore having the vaccine is advised.  People infected with COVID are likely to be protected for some months but further research is required.  These individuals could still transmit the virus to others. The current advice is to wait 4 weeks after having COVID before vaccination.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Almost no one will be offered a choice due to logistics and availability.  The best vaccine is therefore the one you are offered.  All the available vaccines offer a high level of immunity.  People should be assured that whichever vaccine they get has been approved by the MHRA and met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Your decisions don’t just impact you but affect everyone, especially the most vulnerable and sick.  You are more likely to suffer with long COVID and severe complications if you do not have the vaccine.  This will add pressure to the health service and have an effect on people who are suffering from other illnesses.  It will also impact on your close ones who have to care for you during this period.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

Recently, adults aged 18 - 64 have accounted for 40% of daily COVID admissions to hospital.   COVID can affect people of any age and can cause long term complications and death.  The vaccine is designed to reduce the risk of these disastrous consequences. 

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)

What the experts say:

The manufacturers are not exempt from all liabilities.  To encourage pharmaceutical companies to produce COVID vaccines without incurring substantial financial loss, the Government has given them immunity from civil liability and included the vaccines in the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.  The companies still have obligations they need to fulfil.  This is not a new concept.  Many common vaccines already fall under this scheme.

(Source: British Islamic Medical Association)