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Millions of children in Indonesia do not receive essential vaccines because of the "fatwa of vaccine" imposed by powerful members of the Islamic clergy, Scientific Magazine reported Thursday.
In August, the main Indonesian Islamic body issued a religious decree, known as fatwa, declaring the rubella and measles vaccine as haram because pork cells are used in its manufacture.
Immunization rates have fallen dramatically since the decision was adopted in August, raising concern among public health officials that the largest Muslim-majority country in the world will experience a resurgence of measles, miscarriages and miscarriages. health problems due to rubella during pregnancy.
Until recently, Indonesia used a locally produced measles vaccine, which helped reduce infection rates. The burden of measles fever was among the heaviest in the world. Last year, the country's Ministry of Health launched a massive, ambitious catch-up vaccination campaign targeting 67 million children aged 9 months to 15 years.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), the first phase of the campaign was successful, with officials reaching 95% coverage, measles and rubella cases falling by more than 90%.
However, the plan struggled in August after the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) determined that the vaccine was "haram", despite the lobbying efforts of the Ministry of Health to declare it halal. The MUI has finally released a fatwa allowing Muslims to use the vaccine until it is replaced by a halal alternative, but many patients have chosen not to receive the vaccines in the meantime.
"First, there is a condition of necessity (Sharia-related emergency), secondly, it remains to make a halal and holy IR vaccine," said the MUI at the time. "Third, competent and trusted experts have explained the dangers of not being immunized because of the lack of halal vaccine … The government must use religious considerations as guidelines for vaccination and the medical treatment."
However, the controversy has caused a significant drop in vaccination rates, with millions of families now choosing to abstain because of their religious concerns.
Although it is a non-governmental organization, the MUI receives funds and support from the Indonesian government, based on the Islamic theocracy. He oversees all Indonesian mosques and Muslim organizations, with the power to issue halal certifications and even regulate Islamic banking.
President Jokowo Widodo, a candidate for reelection next April, has recently chosen the head of MUI Ma'ruf Amin as vice presidential candidate. blasphemy laws.
Follow Ben Kew on Facebook, Twitter at @ben_kewOr send him an e-mail at the address [email protected].
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