Flu: The facts on flu vaccination and gelatin

October 17, 2019

Are you refusing your flu vaccination due to personal or religious beliefs associated with pork? If so please be informed that there are no porcine products contained within the adult flu vaccination currently being offered as part of the flu programme at our Trust.

Gelatine is derived from pigs and is used in some live vaccines as a stabiliser to protect live viruses against the effects of temperature. As the adult flu vaccination on offer at our Trust is not live, it does not contain gelatine.

Please note that if you are over 65 or have a serious egg allergy you may be offered an alternative vaccine which may contain trace elements of porcine introduced through production filtration.

More information can also be found in the NHS leaflet ‘Vaccines and porcine gelatine’.

If you are still unsure about having your flu vaccination contact the Occupational Health team on ext 3306 or speak to your peer flu vaccinator in your area.