jaimiethedog
Registered: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I was surprised to learn recently that many vaccines are produced by using eggs. Now, even vegan people probably should get vaccinated against diseases, but does anyone know if there is an alternative to this process that is just as safe and effective.
I will personally choose for myself to continue receiving any necessary vaccinations, but I would prefer a vegan option, if possible.
Before I get a slew of hate mail or postings, I ask everyone to remember that on such vegan issues, we all make our own choices. I don't claim or expect to be a "perfect" or pure vegan. So, if anyone feels they are "more purely" vegan than I am, they are probably correct, and I concede this point gladly.
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Julie
Registered: 10/20/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I have heard the same thing. Personally I don't get vaccines and haven't in years. I take Astragalus on a daily basis especially during flu seasons. It's an herbal immune system booster and I swear by it. I even pop open a capsule in my dogs food during certain seasons that they are more susceptible to catching something. I would like to hear more about vaccines as I don't have much information or knowledge about them. I don't get them because I personally don't believe in putting toxins in my body that I don't feel are necessary (but that is just me!).
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elisa
Registered: 08/05/08
Posts: 79
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Check out the 10/17 podcast episode of Go Vegan with Bob Linden. His guest is Dr. Gary Null, who speaks about whether vaccines are effective and safe (Not!). He has a website- garynull.com and you can open up his white papers on PDF on this topic (94 pages). As a result of this info, I feel very good about not taking the vaccines.
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jaimiethedog
Registered: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #4 |
My fears came true. Plesae do not use this thread to debate the safety of effectiveness of vaccines. Please do not misuse this threat as a debate on whether vaccination is safe, effective or necessary. I respect those who do not wish to be vaccinated, but I feel that vaccinations against diseases are important for my health, my dog's health, (and community health at large). I just want to find a vegan way to do it. Thank you all for respecting my choice on this one. It is kind of like convincing me not to like "cheese" on my potatoes, when I am asking for where to get a good cheese analogue. I purposedly used that example because I never liked cheese much (except for feta)... now if anyone knows about a yogurt analogue, I'd be all ears.
If anyone wishes to make a positive contribution (and within the scope of my original post), the question is whether or not vaccines are possible without using eggs or other animal products, and if so, how and where to get them.
I know people will disagree with me on this one, and I think good vegans can disagree on the fine points of vegetarianism and still all be good people. I just think in the grand scheme of things, the eggs used in vaccine production are probably a tiny percentage. I have no figures to back this up, but I am guessing that more eggs are consumed for food in one day than are used to produce vaccines in a year (in the USA). I just have a hunch. I did read somewhere that each egg supplies enough for about 40 doses of vaccine for the flu shot. However, I also read that some eggs "fail" and produce no vaccine at all. So I don't know what the average is when you account for the "duds".
My personal philosophy is one of achieving the lowest violence level possible in my life. Vegetarianism plays a role, of course. I think a lot of non-food animal based products are not so much based on necessity, just people thinking of animal products as things waiting to be harvested. I am surprised to learn about how many non-food products contain animal derived products - paint, glues, colourings, and now - vaccines. It's probably possible (I HOPE) to replace the animal derived sources in most of these products with cruelty-free ones. I am increasing my awareness all the time, and I try to replace and draw attention to these issues. Vaccines are just the latest one. I only recently realised the problem of feathers in clothing and bedding. I just never really thought about it. How silly of me, but I think we all make our baby steps in a very non-vegan world.
I don't want this topic to be like the whole honey debate to tear good folks apart. (For the record, I don't eat honey, but then again, I never liked it.)
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elm
Registered: 07/30/08
Posts: 50
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Reply with quote | #5 |
I think when you bring up a topic on a discussion board, it's pretty difficult to control how people choose to discuss it An easier way to get information minus unwanted discussion might be a search for articles.
But to answer your basic question flatly, no there are no vegan vaccines and even if they had no eggs there would still be all that animal testing. I do, however, know of plenty of vegans who choose to use vaccines because that is what makes them feel safest. It's a personal decision.
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jaimiethedog
Registered: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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Reply with quote | #6 |
I discussed this issue with several people today who said that there are special vaccines for people with egg allergies. Would these be vegan? I wonder what they are made from.
Elm, I am not sure that there would be animal testing for producing vaccines like measels, flu, polio - as far as I know only humans can contract such diseases, so it would not make sense to test animals anyway. Though this is usually the case with animal testing. I never understood why people think that humans will react similar to mice or rabbits or even monkeys. It just does not make good sense to test on animals, aside from the cruelty issues.
If I could get vaccines for the egg allergy people and they were vegan, I would.
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Grey
Registered: 10/03/09
Posts: 14
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Hi! I have a habbit of always watching the news here in Canada and I learned that it is tested on animals first. Also there is an egg free vaccine for people with allergies. I bet you can just tell them you are allergic if you decide to get the vaccine.
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elisa
Registered: 08/05/08
Posts: 79
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Reply with quote | #8 |
I brought up the works of Dr Gary Null because I think it is very important that we do not just assume that vaccines are safe and/or effective. Safety and effectiveness HAVE to be considered first, or there would be no point in taking a vaccine, whether that vaccine is vegan or not. And just as I want people to know the truth about the dangers of meat & dairy, I want to help spread the truth regarding other issues that are equally important. I'm making no judgment whatsoever regarding whether it is right or wrong for a vegan to take a vaccine. I actually brought this up in the context of human health. I just think that it is only fair that all components of a topic be considered.
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sunflower
Registered: 10/29/08
Posts: 84
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Fair point Elisa.
Gary Null sure knows what he's talking about.(& he's vegan!)
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