Chiropractors vote to oppose vaccine mandate

Their college says some statements made by members were inaccurate

After a Kelowna chiropractor’s resolution passed at the College of Chiropractors of B.C. annual general meeting last week opposing mandatory vaccines, the college has clarified its stance.

At the college’s AGM Wednesday, Kelowna chiropractor Mark Foullong’s resolution for the college to “take a stand to protect and maintain the right to medical freedom of choice” passed, with 78 per cent of the people in attendance supporting it.

But in a statement Friday, the college said it “recognizes that immunization through the technique of vaccination is well established and widely mandated in public health policy to protect individuals against infectious disease,” and that they “support and commend” the government’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The college says some of the statements made by members at its AGM “contained inaccurate and misleading information about COVID-19 vaccination.”

“The prevention and treatment of infectious disease is not within the scope of chiropractic practice, and therefore, chiropractors must not provide any professional advice or counselling to patients in relation to vaccination issues,” the college said.

When asked about the resolution, Minister of Health Adrian Dix said he doesn’t believe the 78 per cent of chiropractors at the meeting who voted in favour reflect the opinions of all chiropractors in the province.

“There’s no question that the resolution reflects the views of those chiropractors who showed up to the meeting. I don’t believe they reflect the views of anything like the majority of chiropractors,” Dix said.

“[The College of Chiropractors of B.C.] have been consistent, passionate supporters of immunization. … There are some people who disagree and their views were put forward at that meeting, and all I can say is — I’ll reflect on the arguments that were made at that meeting — those arguments are disappointing and wrong.”

He said that 98 per cent of people employed in B.C.’s healthcare system are vaccinated. A vaccine mandate was implemented for public healthcare employees in B.C. on Oct. 26, and Dix said last month the province is working with healthcare colleges to implement a similar mandate for private-practice healthcare workers.

In its statement, the college says it will await direction from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on mandating COVID-19 vaccines.

“I think the chiropractic community has demonstrated its support overall for vaccination,” Dix said. “Albeit there’s obviously some chiropractors who hold a different view, but regardless, the rules are going to apply to everybody.