Lifestyle
Are medicines and vaccines vegan?
Short answer
Often not: gelatin capsules, lactose as a carrier, legally required animal tests. Veganism does not require refusing treatment. Ask for tablets instead of capsules when that is safe and available.
The Vegan Society stresses “as far as possible and practicable”. Health-saving medicines count as practicable. A pharmacist can sometimes point to a gelatin-free equivalent.
Vaccines: some are still produced on eggs (for example influenza). That is not a reason to skip the immunisation schedule. Public health and your health are part of “practice”.