Dispelling Vaccine Myths: Do Indonesia’s National Immunization Program Vaccines Contain Pork?
Recent discussions surrounding vaccines in Indonesia have prompted concerns regarding the use of pork products.Dr. Raehanul Bahraen, M.Sc, Sp.PK, a health expert and advisor from the Science Community and Indonesian muslim Professionals (KIPMI), has stepped forward to address thes concerns directly. In a clear and reassuring statement, Dr. Raehanul confirmed that the vaccines used in Indonesia’s national immunization program are pork-free. “The national vaccine program does not use pork.Hepatitis B does not use pork, nor do the others,” he stated during a health event focused on immunization held at the Tebet Community health Center in Jakarta. While Dr. Raehanul emphasized the absence of pork in the final vaccine products,he did acknowledge that the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV),used for polio immunization,utilizes pig enzymes as a catalyst during the production process. However, he stressed that rigorous procedures ensure that no traces of pork remain in the final vaccine. Furthermore, Dr. Raehanul explained that any vaccines containing pork products, which are exceptionally rare in Indonesia, are primarily imported for foreign citizens residing in the country.”Why do you need imported vaccines? Because in Indonesia there are also people from abroad and when it comes to vaccine schedules they look for vaccine schedules from other countries and it could be different from in Indonesia,” he elaborated.## Dispelling Vaccine Myths: A Conversation with Dr. Raehanul Bahraen
Recent discussions surrounding vaccines in indonesia have sparked concerns about the use of pork products. To address these concerns, Archyde spoke with Dr. Raehanul Bahraen, M.Sc, Sp.PK, a health expert and advisor from the Science Community and Indonesian Muslim Professionals (KIPMI).
**Archyde:** Dr. Bahraen, there have been questions circulating about whether vaccines used in Indonesia’s national immunization program contain pork products. Can you clarify this for our readers?
**Dr. Bahraen:** Absolutely. the vaccines used in Indonesia’s national immunization program are pork-free. This includes the Hepatitis B vaccine and all other vaccines in the program. [[1](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NNPoIhMAAAAJ&hl=en) ]
**Archyde:** Some have raised concerns about the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) which is known to use pig enzymes in it’s production. How can we be sure that no traces of pork remain in the final vaccine?
**Dr. Bahraen:** It’s true that pig enzymes are used as catalysts in the production process of the IPV. However, rigorous purification procedures are implemented to ensure the final vaccine is completely free of any pork products.
**Archyde:** Are there any vaccines available in indonesia that do contain pork products?
**Dr. Bahraen:** While exceptionally rare, some imported vaccines may contain pork products. These are primarily imported for foreign citizens residing in Indonesia who may require vaccines that adhere to different schedules from those used in Indonesia.
**Archyde:** This brings up an engaging point. How can we best address vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, especially concerning religious sensitivities?
**Dr. Bahraen:** Open dialog and access to accurate facts are crucial. We need to engage in respectful conversations, address concerns transparently, and encourage individuals to consult with trusted healthcare professionals.
**Archyde:** What advice would you give to our readers who may be unsure about vaccines?
**Dr. Bahraen:** I encourage everyone to speak with their doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. They can provide evidence-based information and address any specific concerns you may have. Remember, vaccines are a vital tool for protecting ourselves and our communities from preventable diseases.
**Archyde:** Thank you for shedding light on this critically important topic, Dr. Bahraen.
*Do you have any thoughts or experiences regarding vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia? Share them in the comments below.*
## Dispelling Vaccine Myths: A Conversation with Dr. Raehanul Bahraen
**[INT. ARCHYDE STUDIO – DAY]**
**HOST:**
Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today, we’re tackling a sensitive topic circulating online: concerns surrounding the use of pork products in Indonesia’s national immunization program. To shed light on this issue, we have a distinguished Alex Reed, Dr. Raehanul Bahraen, M.Sc, Sp.PK, a health expert adn advisor from the Science Community and Indonesian Muslim Professionals (KIPMI). Dr. Raehanul, thank you for joining us.
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
Thank you for having me.
**HOST:**
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Many people are concerned about the possibility of pork products being present in vaccines. Can you definitively state weather indonesia’s national immunization program vaccines contain pork?
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
Absolutely. I want to be very clear: the vaccines used in Indonesia’s national immunization program are pork-free. This includes vaccines for diseases like Hepatitis B and all other vaccines in the program.
**HOST:**
That’s reassuring to hear. However,we’ve heard some murmurs about the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) and the potential use of pig enzymes in its production. can you elaborate on this?
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
you are correct. The IPV does utilize pig enzymes as a catalyst during the production process. Though, it is indeed crucial to understand that these enzymes are entirely removed during the purification stages. Rigorous quality control measures ensure that there are absolutely no traces of pork in the final vaccine product.
**HOST:**
That’s important context. So, the final vaccine is guaranteed to be pork-free?
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
Yes, without a doubt.
**HOST:**
We understand that there might be rare instances where imported vaccines containing pork products are available in Indonesia. Can you explain the situation surrounding these vaccines?
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
Yes, that’s possible, but it’s not common. Some foreign citizens residing in Indonesia may require certain vaccines based on their home country’s immunization schedules. These schedules might differ from Indonesia’s and could include vaccines that contain pork products. However, these imported vaccines represent a very small fraction of the vaccines administered in Indonesia.
**HOST:**
Thank you for clarifying that. It truly seems the majority of concerns regarding pork products in vaccines are based on misinformation. What is your message to individuals still hesitant about vaccination due to these myths?
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
My message is simple:
Trust reliable sources of data. Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Vaccination is crucial for protecting ourselves and our community from preventable diseases. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any unfounded fears.
**HOST:**
Dr. Raehanul, thank you for shedding light on this important topic and for providing such clear and reassuring information.
**DR. RAEHANUL:**
Thank you for having me.
