TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry Spokesperson for Covid-19 vaccination, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, asks the public not to hesitate to get AstraZeneca vaccine. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has stated that the use of AstraZeneca vaccine is permissable for Muslim even though it uses pigs tripcyn in the production process.

More than 70 countries also agreed to use this vaccine, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Aljazair, and Maroko. Besides, many Islamic councils around the globe passed the permission to use the vaccine.

"So, there's no reason for the people to hesitate in enrolling in the vaccination program," she said as quoted from the Health Ministry official website, Saturday, March 20. The ministry, Nadia said, will distribute AstraZeneca vaccines the latest on Monday next week to fast-track the immunization program.

MUI chief of fatwa commission Asrorun Niam Sholeh previously explained that the use of AstraZeneca vaccine is permissable due to the emergency situation. Furthermore, experts also elaborate fatal risks if the Covid-19 vaccination is not immediately administered.

Another consideration is the limited supply of halal Covid-19 vaccines. In addition, the government has issued the safety of the vaccine and that it cannot freely choose the type of the vaccine due to the limited supply available around the world.

Therefore, MUI set the pemissable edict (fatwa) to use AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

Read: MUI: AstraZeneca Vaccine Allowed for Use albeit Containing Haram Substance

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