Madison Clarke
The topic of vaccination has caused a divide among chiropractors, with some promoting anti-vaccination messages and materials, and others advocating for vaccination in accordance with public healthcare guidelines. In New South Wales, the requirement for chiropractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been a subject of discussion, with healthcare workers, including chiropractors, being mandated to receive at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 15, 2021. This has sparked conversations about the role of chiropractors in providing medical advice and their responsibility to themselves, their patients, and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chiropractic vaccination stance | Many chiropractors are anti-vaccination, promoting misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines and the MMR vaccine. |
| Chiropractic Australia's position | Endorses the Australian Government's policy on vaccination as a safe and effective way to protect against infectious diseases. |
| COVID-19 vaccination requirement for chiropractors | Chiropractors are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with at least the first dose administered by 15 October 2021, and evidence of full vaccination by 15 December 2021. |
| Chiropractic association response | Chiropractic Australia respects the voluntary nature of vaccination but acknowledges the special responsibility of chiropractors during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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What You'll Learn
Chiropractors and mandatory COVID-19 vaccination
Chiropractors in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, are not exempt from COVID-19 vaccination requirements. While there is a history of anti-vaccination sentiment within the profession, Chiropractic Australia endorses the Australian Government's policy and position on vaccinations as a safe and effective way of protecting people against preventable and infectious diseases. This includes support for COVID-19 vaccination, recognising the substantial evidence demonstrating the vaccines' efficacy in reducing disease spread and COVID-related burdens on healthcare systems.
In 2021, healthcare workers in Australia, including chiropractors, were required by law to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 15, with a deadline of December 15 to provide evidence of full vaccination (two doses). This direction was issued by the Chief Health Officer, and healthcare operators were required to keep records of their workers' vaccination status.
The stance of Chiropractic Australia on COVID-19 vaccination is particularly significant given the profession's history of anti-vaccination sentiment. Chiropractic has long been at odds with the broader medical community, with a sizeable proportion of chiropractors adhering to pseudoscientific and biologically implausible beliefs. For example, some chiropractors have suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, despite this theory being widely discredited by research.
The conflict within the chiropractic profession regarding vaccination beliefs became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some chiropractors promoted misinformation and doubts about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, while others actively supported vaccination. This division was not unique to Australia, with similar tensions reported in the United States.
Despite the existence of anti-vaccination chiropractors, it is important to recognise that many chiropractors practice evidence-based care and actively support vaccination. Chiropractic Australia's break from the Chiropractors Association of Australia in 2015 was motivated by a desire to represent these evidence-based practitioners and to promote unambiguous support for vaccination.
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Anti-vaccine chiropractors
Chiropractors are not required to receive specialised training in infectious diseases. However, many patients look to them for medical advice. This has resulted in a small but vocal minority of chiropractors who have become a rising force of misinformation, advocating against vaccines. They have promoted doubts about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. These chiropractors often follow the beliefs of the profession's founder, Daniel David Palmer, who rejected germ theory and believed that diseases were caused by spinal misalignments.
Nebraska chiropractor Ben Tapper is among a small group responsible for nearly two-thirds of anti-vaccine content online. He has posted about his beliefs that vaccines have no place in the "wellness and prevention paradigm". Chiropractors have also touted their supplements as alternatives to vaccines, written doctor's notes to allow patients to avoid mask and immunisation mandates, and donated money to anti-vaccine organisations.
Public health advocates are concerned about the number of chiropractors who have joined the anti-vaccine movement, using their public prominence and perceived medical expertise to spread misinformation and undermine public health. For example, in 2021, Idaho chiropractor Steven Baker spread misinformation about coronavirus vaccines on his podcast, claiming that they turned people into "modern-day zombies".
In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) regulates chiropractors and requires them to adhere to public healthcare guidelines, which include supporting vaccination initiatives. From October 2021, healthcare workers in Australia, including chiropractors, were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical exemption.
While the majority of chiropractors support vaccinations, the anti-vaccine minority has exposed a longstanding split within the profession.
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Chiropractic Australia's stance on vaccination
Chiropractic Australia (CA) broke away from the Chiropractors Association of Australia (CAA) in 2015 to better represent evidence-based chiropractors and to make unambiguous statements about their position in mainstream healthcare, including their pro-vaccination stance.
Chiropractic Australia is committed to keeping its members informed about COVID-19 restrictions and what they mean for members and practices. The organisation has published COVID-19 resources, including the latest advice regarding vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. However, it is unclear whether Chiropractic Australia has released an official position statement on mandatory vaccinations.
Chiropractic, as a profession, has a long history of being at odds with the medical community due to a sizeable proportion of chiropractors continuing to hold biologically implausible, pseudoscientific beliefs. Many chiropractors are against vaccinations, and some have promoted anti-vaccination sentiments and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines to their patients.
Chiropractic students have observed that the chiropractors they have shadowed hold an anti-vaccination stance. However, some chiropractors and chiropractic students have spoken out against anti-vaccination beliefs within the profession, recognising the importance of vaccines in eradicating diseases.
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Chiropractors and the MMR vaccine
The chiropractic profession has long been at odds with the medical community, largely because a significant proportion of chiropractors continue to embrace pseudoscientific and biologically implausible approaches to healthcare. This includes a strong aversion to pharmacological treatments and vaccines.
Chiropractic was included in the national register of primary healthcare practitioners in 2010, to be regulated under AHPRA, ensuring the profession adheres to public healthcare guidelines, including vaccination initiatives. However, the anti-vaccination stance persists within the profession, with many chiropractors continuing to promote anti-vaccination messages to their patients. This is particularly evident in the case of the MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine has been a particular target of anti-vaccination sentiment within the chiropractic community. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a UK gastroenterologist, published a now-discredited and retracted study in The Lancet, falsely suggesting a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Despite the existence of overwhelming evidence refuting this claim, some chiropractors continue to propagate this myth. Wakefield himself was invited as a keynote speaker at the International Chiropractors Association's Annual Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics in 2016, indicating a potential endorsement of his views by the association.
Chiropractors in Australia and other parts of the world have been vocal opponents of COVID-19 vaccines as well, spreading misinformation and exposing a deep divide within the profession. While some chiropractors promote evidence-based practices and refer patients to medical doctors for advice on medical subjects, others disseminate false information about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
The anti-vaccination stance among chiropractors can have detrimental effects on public health and the credibility of the profession. It is important for patients to be aware of the limitations of chiropractic advice and to seek information from medical professionals regarding vaccinations.
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Chiropractors' scope to advise on medical topics
Chiropractors are not required to receive specialised training in infectious diseases and do not attend medical school. However, many patients seek their counsel on medical topics. This has sparked a debate within the chiropractic community, with some chiropractors promoting anti-vaccination messages and conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccines and their side effects.
In Australia, chiropractic was included in the national register of primary healthcare practitioners in 2010, requiring them to adhere to public healthcare guidelines, including vaccination initiatives. In 2015, Chiropractic Australia (CA) separated from the Chiropractors Association of Australia (CAA) to advocate for evidence-based chiropractors and unambiguously support vaccination.
In the United States, the scope of practice for chiropractors varies by state. While most states do not permit chiropractors to prescribe medication, some states like Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Idaho allow them to give nutritional supplements and advice. New Mexico is an outlier, permitting specially trained "Advanced Chiropractors" to prescribe drugs.
The conflict within the chiropractic profession has intensified as the COVID-19 Delta variant spread and vaccination rates slowed. While some chiropractors spread misinformation, others strive to work collaboratively with medical doctors, recognising their limitations and referring patients to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
Ultimately, the scope of chiropractors to advise on medical topics is limited and varies by jurisdiction. While some jurisdictions permit chiropractors to provide nutritional advice and supplements, most do not allow them to prescribe medication. Chiropractors should exercise caution when discussing medical topics outside their scope of practice and refer patients to medical doctors when necessary to ensure patient safety and ethical practice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of 15 October 2021, chiropractors are required to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
They must have a medical exemption to be able to come to work.
No, there is a longstanding split within the profession. Some chiropractors promote anti-vaccination messages and materials, while others are pro-vaccination.
Chiropractic Australia endorses the Australian Government’s policy and position on vaccinations as a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against preventable and infectious diseases.
