Vegans cannot take COVID-19 vaccines because they contain animal products.
Many people have been waiting for a COVID vaccine that is both ethical and doesn’t contain animal ingredients. Clinical trials for vaccines involve human volunteers, but before they reach that stage, their safety and efficacy must be tested on animals, per the FDA as well as guidelines worldwide. So, there’s still no such thing as a vegan COVID vaccine. And, yes, you should still get vaccinated. Any vaccination is better than none. But don’t take my word for it. The scientific community is unanimous in recommending adults and eligible children to be fully vaccinated—and in some cases boosted—for the best protection against COVID-19 symptoms and spread. [...] Plant-based vaccines are still a new innovation. In fact, the plant-based coronavirus vaccine is the first of its kind. While Covifenz is plant-based, per regulations surrounding vaccines, it is tested on animals. (Vaccine trials for COVID-19 have relied on research on mice, hamsters, and nonhuman primates.) In other words, it’s not a vegan vaccine. "Plant-based" just refers to how the shots are made. So, how do they differ from other kinds of vaccines?