Farah Naz Khan, MD,
April 12, 2021, 11:11AM (PT)
Key takeaways:
- Getting a vaccine won’t break your Ramadan fast, according to religious leaders and groups worldwide.
- The vaccine will be just as effective if you get it while fasting — and maybe even more so, according to some experts.
If you’re celebrating the start of Ramadan this week, then the arrival of the Muslim holy month may coincide with the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in your area. Many states across the country will soon be opening up vaccines to all persons who want them, if they haven’t done so already.
But, if you’re fasting, you may have questions about the vaccine. For example, does getting a vaccine break your fast? What about the health risks of getting a vaccine while you’re fasting? Finally, are the vaccine’s ingredients halal? Read on to learn more about vaccines and fasting during Ramadan.
Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine during Ramadan break my fast?
No. Because the vaccine doesn’t cause anything to enter your gut, it doesn’t break your fast. The COVID-19 vaccines — and most other vaccines, for that matter — are given by needle, and so the vaccine goes into your arm muscle. So yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine while you’re fasting during Ramadan.
For any other regular medications you take by mouth, it may be possible to adjust your dosing schedule during the month of Ramadan. But don’t stop or change your medication schedule without making a plan with your healthcare provider first.
Have any religious leaders weighed in on the permissibility of getting vaccinated while fasting?
Yes, many religious leaders and organizations across the world have said it is permissible to get vaccinated while fasting. For example, leading Islamic clerics in Saudi Arabia said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine won’t break your fast. Islamic authorities in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates made the same ruling. And so did the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, a top institution in Islamic jurisprudence and law.
It’s good to remember that injections were already permitted for those fasting during Ramadan before the pandemic arrived. So the COVID-19 vaccine is no different.
However, the pandemic and the related COVID-19 vaccines are all new things for us to understand. Vaccine hesitancy already exists, and so it is understandable how it could also be found during a month like Ramadan, when so much depends on maintaining your fast. As a result, Islamic organizations have launched campaigns to combat vaccine hesitancy among Muslims during Ramadan. There has also been a push against vaccine misinformation in Muslim communities in the U.S.Don’t miss out on savings!Get the best ways to save on your prescriptions delivered to your inbox. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’s terms of service and privacy policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine while fasting?
Yes, whether you are having your first dose or your second, it is safe to be vaccinated while fasting. The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any mild discomfort you might feel, so there is no need to delay your vaccine appointment. Common side effects include:
- Arm pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
If you’re worried about how your body will react, try to choose an appointment a few hours before iftar, to give yourself an opportunity to rest afterward and then to break your fast.
If you are medically unwell — for whatever reason — then it is permissible to break your fast.
Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine while fasting affect the vaccine’s effectiveness?
No, there is no medical reason not to get the COVID-19 vaccine while you are fasting, if that’s when you are scheduled to have it. In fact, some suggest there may even be some evidence that the immune system — and thus the vaccine — works better during periods of fasting.
Are there any non-halal ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine?
Some vaccines contain gelatin, which can come from animals, including pigs. However, the three main vaccines being given in the U.S. — made by Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson — don’t contain any animal products.
The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, currently being given outside of the U.S., was determined to not have any ingredients from animals. Also, the CoronaVac vaccine, produced by the Beijing-based company Sinovac, was deemed to be halal by Indonesia’s Islamic body.
The bottom line
You can get the COVID-19 vaccine — or any vaccine — while you’re fasting during Ramadan. This is based on the rulings of leading Islamic scholars and organizations. It is also the practice of healthcare professionals with Muslim patients. If you’re fasting, the vaccine won’t be any less effective, and the side effects you may feel won’t be any worse than normal. Remember to stay healthy this Ramadan by continuing to follow safety guidelines when you gather with people.
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