A BOARD of leading medical professionals from the Islamic faith has confirmed that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 is accepted in the Muslim faith.

The British Islamic Medical Association has examined the vaccine and now recommends Muslims eligible for the jab take up the offer.

It has looked at various religious concerns raised over the vaccine and concluded it is acceptable for Muslims to receive, with the recommendation backed by the Muslim Council for Britain and Operation Vaccination.

Experts of Islamic faith in infectious diseases, virology, pharmaceuticals, clinicians, commissioners, public health officials and bioethicists looked at the vaccine, and have passed their findings to Islamic scholars of a variety of denominations.

Key points they have emphasised include that there are no animal products in the vaccine and it does not contain any human embryonic cells.

It reaffirms the findings of the MHRA that the vaccine is safe and up to 70 per cent effective at protecting against severe Covid-19, and the only side effects are those similar to other vaccines such as aches and pains.

The BIMA said people in the Muslim community are some of the most at-risk people to dying or becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 in the country, and are also some of the most vaccine-hesitant, which is why it is crucial that there is a clear and unified message across the Muslim community that the vaccine is safe.

It also reminds people that the vaccine isn't a cure all, and for the foreseeable future it is vitally important to abide by lockdown rules, maintain social distancing and wash hands regularly.