An article published December 5, 2017 in the chiropractic trade magazine Chiropractic Economics, they recommend the flu shot as one of the "things you can do to stop the spread" of flu viruses. Along with washing your hands and disinfecting your office, Chiropractic Economics also included: Get your flu shot
Alex Tauberg, DC, owner of Tauberg Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Pennsylvania was quoted as saying:
“At my office, to prepare for flu season, we make sure that the providers that will be in contact with patients receive the flu vaccine,”
The article went on to promote the flu vaccine claiming that:
"This helps protect staff from patients who may be carrying a bug, as well as protecting the patients if staff happen to be sick."
They go on to refer to the CDC stating:
"According to the CDC, the flu shot not only helps keep a person from contracting the flu, but it also reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalizations, decreases the likelihood of heart attacks in people with compromising heart conditions, and, if you do happen to get sick, it’s usually not as bad as someone who develops the flu without first having the shot."
Beyond recommending that chiropractors and their staff get the flu vaccine Chiropractic Economics also encourages chiropractors to discuss the benefits of the flu vaccine with their patients stating:
"In addition to having your staff vaccinated, it also helps to educate your patients about benefits of receiving a flu shot. Current CDC recommendations are for everyone over the age of six months to get the shot, ideally by November 1."
As the chiropractic profession has moved into the practice of primary care and has embraced prescription medications (according to data half the profession wants to be able to prescribe drugs) it should come as no surprise that chiropractors would begin to accept and even endorse things like flu vaccination. Some outside of chiropractic have argued that if chiropractors were allowed to administer vaccines they would be more open to recommending them and that this would also help to increase the utilization rates of vaccines.
Even some chiropractic schools have jumped on the bandwagon. In 2014 Northwestern University of Health Sciences sent a notice out to their campus community encouraging their students to get the flu shot:
"As we approach the annual flu season, we are encouraging you to consider getting the influenza vaccine. This is not only important to protect yourself, but also co-workers, students and patients you may be caring for in our clinics."
The letter was signed by now Senior Vice President Charles Sawyer, DC and the Executive Director of Research and Innovation Michele Maiers, DC, PhD
In 2014, Palmer College of Chiropractic sent out a letter to their Alumni in their Gift Legacy eNewsletter stating that the flu shot was the best protection against the flu stating it was "tried and true". The Palmer article has since been removed from their website after receiving a backlash from their alumni.
While they do not recommend getting a flu shot, or even a chiropractic adjustment, the National University of Health Sciences recommends the following:
- Qi Gong to help your Qi energy and your Wei Qi
- Boil water and vinegar and breathe the steam
- Get regular acupuncture and moxibustion
- Drink Ginger or "Ban Lan Gen" (isatis root) tea
- Take herbal formulas
Of course all of this advice to get your flu shot from folks who are supposed to be familiar with evidence based practice actually ignores the evidence.
According to the COCHRANE Collaboration:
What about vaccinating health care workers like Chiropractic Economics and Dr. Tauberg recommend?
Again, according to COCHRANE:
Regardless of the evidence Chiropractic Economics concludes their article stating:
"Doing these three things can help you protect yourself, your staff, and your patients during the upcoming flu season. That makes them a priority for everyone involved."
