This might be a matter of semantics or maybe nitpicking but .....
Technically almost all medicines in the First World are not vegan. If its approved for use on humans its been tested on animals. And in many cases, not just tested on animals but developed by using animals.
Many medicines contain ingredients that are derived from animals. Its possible for Vegans to avoid some medications that include animal products - if there is an alternative. And in some cases, the medication itself is elective, one can choose not to. Examples of these could be things like headache medicine, or allergy medicine.
its not possible to avoid the testing on animals. this is where the semantic or interpretation part comes in. I was just saying in another thread that an important clause in the Vegan Society's definition is "as far as possible and practicable..."
I guess in a way this is not just a matter of interpretation but personal philosophy. IMHO when it comes to my personal health, not taking a necessary medicine is not
practical.
Taking or not taking a vaccine is elective. And in the case of vaccines its not just your own personal health but also the health of others. Much of this has been made of in the news for the last 12 months, so I don't think its necessary to plow that ground again.
one thing that I think does require emphasizing is that Veganism is all about compassion. We can and should extend our compassion for animals to ourselves and other humans, too.
Another thing is that as a vegan you are an animal rights activist. And some of your responsibility is to the vegan image. It doesn't help animals when people get a bad impression of veganism.
Here is a quote from a vegan writer. And if you get a chance you might read it. It's pretty good.
By no means should you place your own health at risk for the sake of following your ethical compass, particularly when the medication is irreplaceable. Here, medication and your own personal health must, and should absolutely, take priority. What’s more, you should not feel any less of a vegan or less compassionate simply because you chose to place the health of your body first.
Charlotte Willis explores the conundrum vegans have to face when it comes to taking modern medicines.
www.veganfoodandliving.com
And here is another good article that is worth reading.
Vaccines are essential weapons of medicine to promote and maintain public health and they have been pivotal in the prevention, and in some cases near-eradication, of some very nasty diseases. There is no doubt that the world is a better place for humans without smallpox, the global eradication...
www.veganfriendly.org.uk