Faith-Based approaches to vaccine misconception: a systematic literature review of religious messaging

Wan Mohd Ghazali, Wan Norshira and Muhammad Husni, Ahmad and Mohamed, Shafizan and Yusoh, Mohd Helmi and Abdul Manan, Kamaruzzaman and Mohd Nasir, Nur Shakira (2025) Faith-Based approaches to vaccine misconception: a systematic literature review of religious messaging. Intellectual Discourse, 33 (2). pp. 731-757. ISSN 0128-4878 E-ISSN 2289-5639

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Abstract

Since more and more individuals rely only on the internet for information, falsehoods on health-related matters are spreading more quickly. When it comes to a religious stance around vaccinations, false information may be more difficult to change since it affects an individual’s faith. To combat religious vaccine misconception, this research explored Scopus, Google Scholar, MyCite, EBSCOhost, and FatwāMujamma’ databases using a systematic literature review (SLR) procedure. 5076 studies on vaccination and religion were identified between 2016 and 2021. After a thorough screening process, only 25 studies reflecting religious discussion on vaccination were extracted for analysis. Designed to synthesise religious sources, this SLR identified Qur’ānic passages and Hadith supporting vaccine uptake. The results were also synthesised according to fatwā across types of vaccination. This paper followed PRISMA in reporting the SLR study. In short, this study is significant as it provides evidence supporting the need for vaccination to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of the Muslim community. It should be noted that religious messages must be incorporated into health communication intervention strategies for educators, religious leaders, and advocates to inform the public about the importance of vaccinations. This review further offers the Malaysian Health Ministry a reference to be included as part of its strategies from Islamic perspectives in combating vaccine refusal and anti-vaccination movement among the Muslim community, as they compose the majority of the population.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Health Communication, Misconception, Religious communication, Systematic Literature Review, Vaccine
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H61.8 Communication of information H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H93 Popular works R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA643 Communicable Diseases and Public Health
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Communication Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Shafizan Mohamed
Date Deposited:	02 Jul 2025 16:13
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2025 16:13
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/121841

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