But this integration cannot be done at the expense of our fundamental philosophy. For Western States Chiropractic College to offer free immunizations is a foolhardy step toward integration. If WSCC would take the opportunity to offer vaccinations side-effects awareness classes and preventive health care classes in conjunction with the offer of free immunizations it would indeed set the school in a uniquely admirable position. Recommending particular vaccinations to particular people would be precedent setting, as would be offering open discussion on pros and cons. If someone is working with Hepatitis B patients or working in Africa where there may be an outbreak of polio or malaria then certain vaccinations may be advised.
Chiropractors look at the issues more holistically.
This is indeed an issue that raises much concern in the medical profession regarding integrating DCs into mainstream medicine. For my Masters of Public Health thesis I interviewed among others an MD who said he would not refer patients to DCs because of their attitudes on vaccination. Indeed, DCs have much benefit to provide to public health but to forsake our philosophical identity is to lose ourselves. WSCC is disgracing the profession in encouraging unnecessary immunizations and not being more holistic in the evaluation of a medical practice of dubious benefit and safety in this day and age. Institute of Medicine, Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines - Evidence Bearing on Causality, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1994.