Numerous studies have linked vaccine hesitancy or refusal with the belief in so-called alternative medicine (SCAM). Yet, large-scale data on this topic were so far scarce. Now, two sizable investigations from France shed more light on the issue.
In the first study, the researchers investigated the factors associated with the coverage of seven childhood vaccines or vaccine groups in the 96 French metropolitan departments. One of the factors investigated was the local interest in SCAM.
In order to assess it, the investigators created an ‘Alternative Medicine Index’ based on departmental internet searches regarding SCAM. The assumption was that internet searches being a reliable indicator of the public’s actual interest in a given topic. They then conducted multiple regression analyses. The results showed that the Index is a significant explanatory factor for the departmental variance in vaccination coverage rates, exceeding in importance the effect of other relevant local sociodemographic factors.
The second study presents the results of a survey conducted in July 2021 among a representative sample of the French adult population (n = 3087). Using cluster analysis, the researchers identified five profiles of SCAM attitudes. They then compared these SCAM attitudes to vaccine attitudes. Attitudes to SCAM had a distinct impact as well as a combined effect on attitudes to different vaccines and vaccines in general.
The results showed that the hesitant, pro-SCAM attitudes are often combined with other traits associated with vaccine hesitancy such as distrust of health agencies, radical political preferences, and low income. Both SCAM endorsement and vaccine hesitancy are more prevalent among the socially disadvantaged.
Drawing on these results, the researchers argue that, to better understand the relationship between SCAM and vaccine hesitancy, it is necessary to look at how both can reflect a lack of access and recourse to mainstream medicine and distrust of public institutions.
The complex relationship between enthusiasm for SCAM with vaccine hesitancy is fascinating and has thus been discussed repeatedly over on my own blog:
- Preference of so-called alternative medicine predicts negative attitudes to vaccination
- What are the reasons for opposing COVID vaccinations?
- Intelligence, Religiosity, SCAM, Vaccination Hesitancy – are there links?
- More information on homeopaths’ and anthroposophic doctors’ attitude towards vaccinations
- The anti-vaccination movement is financed by the dietary supplement industry
- Sorry, I was wrong about homeopathy and vaccination
- The UK Society of Homeopaths, a hub of anti-vaccination activists?
- HOMEOPATHY = “the complete alternative to vaccination” ?!?!
- Are anthroposophy-enthusiasts for or against vaccinations?
- Far too many chiropractors believe that vaccinations do not have a positive effect on public health
- Naturopaths’ counselling against vaccinations could be criminally negligent
- HOMEOPATHS AGAINST VACCINATION: “The decision to vaccinate and how you implement that decision is yours and yours alone”
- Use of alternative medicine is associated with low vaccination rates
- Integrative medicine physicians tend to harbour anti-vaccination views
- Vaccination: chiropractors “espouse views which aren’t evidence based”
What seems to emerge from this body of evidence is the notion that a cross-correlation exists: an attitude against modern medicine and the ‘scientific establishment’ determines both the enthusiasm for SCAM and the aversion to vaccination.
What, however, seems far less clear is what we could do about it, and how we can educate people such that they no longer are a danger to themselves and to others.
