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Related Experiment Videos

MMR vaccination advice over the Internet.

Katja Schmidt1, Edzard Ernst

  • 1Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter EX2 4NT, UK. katja.schmidt@pms.ac.uk

Vaccine
|February 1, 2003
PubMed
Summary

UK homeopaths and chiropractors often provide advice against the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination program online. General practitioners refused to offer internet advice, highlighting a gap in reliable MMR vaccination information from complementary and alternative medicine providers.

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Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Immunization
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Background:

  • The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination program is a critical public health intervention.
  • Concerns exist regarding the information provided by some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners on vaccination.
  • Understanding the advice given by various healthcare providers is essential for public health messaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the advice given by UK homeopaths, chiropractors, and general practitioners regarding the MMR vaccination via the internet.
  • To assess the attitudes of CAM providers towards MMR vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Researchers identified UK homeopaths, chiropractors, and general practitioners through online directories and websites.

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  • A fictitious patient's email query about MMR vaccination was sent to these practitioners.
  • A follow-up letter explained the study's purpose, allowing for withdrawal of responses.

    • Main Results:

    • Homeopaths had a higher response rate (53%) than chiropractors (32%).
    • General practitioners unanimously declined to provide advice online.
    • No homeopath and only one chiropractor advised in favor of MMR vaccination; some provided indirect support.

    Conclusions:

    • A significant proportion of surveyed homeopaths and chiropractors displayed negative or hesitant attitudes towards MMR vaccination.
    • CAM providers' views on immunization warrant further consideration and potential intervention strategies.
    • There is a need to ensure consistent and accurate information regarding MMR vaccination is accessible to the public.