| "When we have proven preventive measures that will save lives and prevent spread of disease, we are duty-bound to employ them". A statement signed by the present and former chairs of MCB's Health & Medical Committee (Drs Shehu and Shuja Shafi respectively) and Shaykh Ibranim Mogra, Chair of the Interfaith Relations Committee notes:
"We read with great concern the remarks the article in the Sunday Times (28th January 2007) about immunisation.
The Muslim Council of Britain has always maintained and advised that immunisation / vaccination must be offered to all individuals identified to be at risk of communicable disease in order to prevent disease and deaths. The ‘life and death’ importance for such an approach was fully demonstrated in an international outbreak of meningitis (W135) among returning UK pilgrims and their close contacts following the Hajj in 2000 and 2001. Eight of the 45 and 10 of the 38 individuals died following the Hajj in 2000 and 2001 respectively. With the introduction of the quadrivalent vaccine (acwy), now mandatory, there were only 6 infections and no deaths. In subsequent years there have been no meningitis cases associated with Hajj.
Discussion with professional colleagues and leading Islamic scholars reaffirms the position that MCB has taken. Furthermore, guidance is also derived from the recommendations of jurisprudents, experts and eminent ulama from around the world at the Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences seminar in Kuwait on “The Judicially Prohibited and Impure Substances in Foodstuff and Drugs”.
When we have proven preventive measures that will save lives and prevent spread of disease, we are duty-bound to employ them. Similarly, immunisation against measles, diphtheria, poliomyelitis etc is about preventing nasty diseases and saving lives.
To deny our children and adults proven protective measures would be unethical and unacceptable. We urge the Muslim community to ensure that we continue to participate in the immunisation programmes to protect our children and adults from serious and potentially fatal infections".
LINKS
WHO statement
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