MUI: Sinovac Vaccine Originated In China Halal

Chairman of the MUI for Fatwa, Asrorun Niam Sholeh

JAKARTA - The Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has completed a fatwa session regarding the Sinovac brand of COVID-19 vaccine products imported from companies from China.

In the results of the plenary session of the Fatwa Commission and auditors of the MUI's Institute for the Study of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics (LPPOM), it was stated that the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac was halal and sacred to be injected into the public.

"After a long discussion of the auditor's explanation, the Fatwa Commission meeting agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac Lifescience whose certification was submitted by Bio Farma is holy and halal," said Chairman of the MUI for Fatwa, Asrorun Niam Sholeh in a virtual press conference, Friday, January 8.

According to Asrorun, regarding the permissibility of its use, it is closely related to the discontinuation of the safety, quality, and efficacy aspects of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

Thus, the Fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council regarding vaccine products from Sinovac China will await the final results from the POM.

"The whole fatwa will be submitted after BPOM has conveyed the security aspects to be used, whether it is safe or not, then the fatwa will see," he said.

Until now, the BPOM has not issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the use of the Sinovac vaccine because it is still awaiting the results of the safety and efficacy of phase 3 clinical trials.

Head of BPOM, Penny Lukito, said that the results of the efficacy or ability to provide benefits for people undergoing clinical trials for injecting vaccines will be delivered in the near future, prior to granting emergency permits.

"We will convey the complete determination of the efficacy in Indonesia, when we issue the EUA. This is related to statistics (efficacy results) in Brazil and Turkey. So, we have no doubt associated with statistical methods and clinical trial methods that have been carried out in Indonesia. Bandung, "said Penny.