Almost all medication has been tested on animals, and as such is technically not vegan due to the animal testing. However, it is important to take note of the following:
1. As with any prescribed medication (including vaccines), vegans should make an informed decision about whether to take a medication based on professional and qualified medical advice.
2. As long as animal testing is legally required, refusing to take a medication (including vaccines) on ethical grounds will not help animals who have already been used in testing on the medication or vaccine.
3. If the choice is available and suitable based on professional and qualified medical advice, vegans should try and opt for a version of the medicine or vaccine that does not contain any animal derived ingredients. You can't avoid animal testing with medication and vaccines, but you can (as per above where possible) try and avoid animal derived ingredients.
4. Taking a medication or vaccine that is not vegan does not mean you are not vegan for taking it. It just means that you had to make a non vegan decision, which as we live in a non vegan world, all vegans have to make non vegan decisions from time to time.
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