Effects of religiosity, halal knowledge and halal certification on the intention of Muslims to use the halal vaccine during Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to analyze the effect of religiosity (RE), halal knowledge (HK) and halal certification (HC), attitudes, subjective norms and vaccine quality on the Muslim community’s intention to use halal vaccines in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This study involved 725 Muslim respondents in 32 Indonesian provinces. The model used was based on the theory of reasoned action development with the partial least squares structural equation modeling as the data processing tool. Findings The study discovered that RE, HK and HC did not affect the intention of Muslims to use halal vaccines. In addition, the MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia – Indonesia Council of Ulama) fatwa permitting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine despite the haram ingredients was considered an excuse for Muslims to administer non-halal vaccines. However, several parties disagreed on the fatwa because the emergency legal standing for its permissibility did not apply to all regions. The reason was that each had different rates of confirmed cases, ranging from high-risk areas to those with zero confirmed Covid-19 cases. Originality/value This study examines the Muslim community’s intention toward using halal vaccines in several regions in Indonesia. In addition, this study conducted in-depth interviews as samples in several regions. This study also conducted interviews to determine the public’s views on government obligation about the Covid-19 vaccine. Finally, this study proposes a vaccine to avoid the possibility of controversy over the use of non-halal vaccines.

Perceived Religiosity and Covid-19 Vaccination Acceptance Among Melaka Tengah Population, Malaysia

“…This indicated that the people of Melaka Tengah believed that religion encourages them to take COVID-19 vaccines. In comparison, a recent survey conducted by Faturohman et al (2021) and Sudarsono et al (2023) showed that perceived religiosity did not affect the intention of COVID-19 vaccination among Indonesians.…”

“…For Muslim respondents, each time a discussion on the topic of COVID-19 vaccination was brought up, the subject of its unlawful halal status was certainly brought up as well (Abdul Aziz et al, 2021). In Indonesia, due to the limited dose availability and difficulty of selection, the Indonesian Council of Ulama allowed the use of AstraZeneca in emergency situations, although these vaccine types had used pig trypsin during AstraZeneca's manufacturing (Sudarsono et al, 2023). Most respondents strongly agreed with the statement in the instruments, as illustrated in Table 4.0, that religion is their guidance in life, 3.55 (SD =.83), and religion influences their life decisions, 3.30 (SD =.93).…”

“…People who have strong religious beliefs are restrained by this faith in whatever they do. A study conducted in Pakistan found that the level of religiosity of Muslims affected how they behaved when making purchases of goods and services (Sudarsono et al, 2023). Religiosity was previously incorporated into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) among Indonesian respondents.…”

Does the halal label of Lemonilo instant noodles matter to students?

“…Halal labeling includes halal writing or statements on product packaging to show that the product in question has the status of halal product (Hidayatullah, 2020;Sudarsono et al, 2023). Kotler (2002) states that beliefs and attitudes can influence purchasing behavior (Kotler, 2002).…”