Attitudes on immunization: a survey of American chiropractors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess chiropractic attitudes toward immunization.

DESIGN

Random sample survey by mail.

PARTICIPANTS

One percent of American chiropractors were surveyed. The response rate was 37%.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were asked to read APHA policy statement "7805: Immunization Against Childhood Diseases" before filling out the survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Five-point Likert scales of agreement and disagreement.

RESULTS

One-third agree that there is no scientific proof that immunization prevents disease, that vaccinations cause more disease than they prevent, and that contracting an infectious disease is safer than immunization. Eighty-one percent feel immunization should be voluntary and 46% support an official policy against the APHA resolution 7805. ICA members were more likely to agree with negative statements concerning immunization than ACA members.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant minority of American chiropractors who harbor anti-immunization sentiments despite the weight of scientific evidence supporting its value. Greater efforts must be made by chiropractic educators, associations, and licensing boards to ensure that clinicians base their attitudes on clinical and epidemiological research rather than emotion, rhetoric and dogma.