Judge rules four children must be immunised after Muslim mother refused because she thought the vaccines contained pork gelatine

• Children aged between eight months and six will now have 'variety' of jabs 
• Mother objected to vaccines over fears they had pork in, which is forbidden
• Judge Carol Atkinson said the woman had a 'paranoid view of the world' 
• Three vaccines do contain pork gelatine including one for MMR and flu 

A judge has ruled that four children must be immunised after a Muslim mother refused to take them for vaccines because she thought they contained pork gelatine. 

The children, aged between eight months and six, will be forced to have a 'variety of outstanding immunisations' following the ruling at a family court.

Their mother had objected to the vaccines after claiming they contained gelatine from pork, which is forbidden to Muslims. 

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A judge has ruled that four children must be immunised after a Muslim mother refused to take them for vaccines because she thought they contained pork gelatine (stock picture)

But Judge Carol Atkinson, who did not say what diseases the immunisations related to, said the woman had a 'paranoid view of the world'. 

She added: 'The mother has refused her consent on a number of different bases; that the vaccines contain pork gelatine is the most recent objection. 

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The children, aged between eight months and six, will be forced to have a 'variety of outstanding immunisations' following the ruling by Judge Carol Atkinson (pictured)

'It transpired that the ones proposed do not. 

Having been shown her fears are unwarranted she has agreed that the children can have the necessary vaccines.' 

Judge Atkinson, who did not identify the family, added that she made the order to stop the mother changing her position and withdrawing her consent at a later date.  

The issue was brought before the court after social workers asked the judge to make rulings on a number of welfare issues including where the children should live.

The children’s parents, both in their twenties, had separated and they had been living with their mother in London.

But the judge heard that the youngsters had been taken into police protection after concerns were raised about their care.

Judge Atkinson, who said the mother was emotionally volatile and had displayed aggressive behaviour, concluded that the youngsters should live with their Somalian-born father, who was also based in London.

She said he would have support from social workers and added that the children should stay in contact with their mother.

The judge said the council had taken action after neighbours complained of a woman shouting abuse at children and telling of persistent crying. 

MMR, FLU AND SHINGLES: THE VACCINES THAT CONTACT PORK GELATINE 

Porcine gelatine comes from collagen in pigs and is used in some vaccines as a stabiliser, ensuring the drug remains effective during storage.

The use of such gelatine has previously been raised as an issue by a number of Muslims, who are forbidden from eating pork.

A Government leaflet confirms there are three vaccines that include porcine gelatine - Fluenz Tetra, which protects children against flu, MMR VaxPro, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, and Zostavax, which protects older adults from shingles.

Public Health England (PHE) have previously addressed the issues raised by both Jewish and Muslim parents.

It admits that individuals may feel they cannot accept some pharmaceutical products - but added that the Kashrut and Medicines Information Service said, at least according to Jewish laws, that there is no problem.

The leaflet added that there is an effective alternative jab for MMR but not for flu and shingles.