Rise in popularity of complementary and alternative medicine: reasons and consequences for vaccination

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become a popular form of h ealthcare and the predictions are that, it will increase further. The reaso ns for this level of popularity are highly diverse, and much of the motivat ion to turn to CAM pertains to a deeply felt criticism of mainstream medici ne - many people (are led to) believe that conventional interventions, incl uding immunisation, are associated with the potential to do more harm than good. Thus, it is hardly surprising that CAM also lends support to the "ant i-vaccination movement". In particular, sections of the chiropractors, the (non-medically trained) homoeopaths and naturopaths tend to advise their cl ients against immunisation. The reasons for this attitude are complex and l ie, at least in part in the early philosophies which form the basis of thes e professions. The negative attitude of some providers of CAM towards immun isation constitutes an important example of indirect risks associated with this form of healthcare. The best way forward, it seems, would be a campaig n to clarify the risk-benefit profile of immunisations for both users and p roviders of CAM. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.