Covid-19 vaccination during Ramadan allowed: BARMM exec

MANILA – As Muslims across the country celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, a Bangsamoro health official said Wednesday that getting a Covid-19 vaccination would not break or invalidate the fast.

“Ang pagbabakuna, hindi nakakasira o na-i-invalidate o hindi katanggap-tanggap ang pag-aayuno during the time of Ramadan dahil mayroon tayong kautusan na binigay ng ating mufti (Vaccination does not destroy or invalidate or make fasting unacceptable during the time of Ramadan),” Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Health Minister Dr. Bashary Latiph said during an online media forum.

Latiph allayed the concerns of some Muslims who may be hesitant to get a vaccine shot for fear of breaking the fast.

“Hindi naman po ito energy boost kumbaga hindi po siya pampalakas ng katawan (The vaccine does not provide energy boost or make the body stronger). This vaccine is about protecting oneself and protecting other people’s lives,” he added.

Latiph noted that some 12,337 Muslims in the BARMM have been vaccinated so far, including those in Marawi City and Lamitan in Basilan.

He said the target number of vaccinees under A1 category is 15,740.

As for the A2 and A3 categories, he said they are still gathering data.

The BARMM has received Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines which, Latiph said are “Halal and not Haram” based on the studies of Islamic scholars.

Muslims from the region are allowed to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage in June provided that they get vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Nag-allocate po tayo ng 5,336 vaccines sa mga kababayan natin na magha-Hajj this year. More than 1,000 ang nag-avail dito at hanggang ngayon, continuous pa rin ang ating pagbabakuna at inagahan namin para makuha natin ang (We have allocated 5,336 vaccines for those who will join the Hajj pilgrimage this year. More than 1,000 availed of this. Until now we have continuous vaccination and we did it early to get the) first dose and second dose,” Latiph said.

To encourage more Muslims to receive Covid-19 shots, Latiph said they are coordinating with ulamas or religious scholars to explain the benefits of the vaccines as well as the proper management of possible adverse events after vaccination.