ON MANDATORY VACCINATIONS

Colleagues:

Over the last few weeks, several organizations and governments have announced requirements for their employees, visitors, patrons, or clients, to be either fully vaccinated or to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, medical exemption, or similar acceptable alternative.

These announcements, coupled with the rising COVID-19 case numbers in Alberta, have naturally raised questions by members and the public about the potential for vaccination requirements or mandates being applied to chiropractic offices.

At present, the Government of Alberta has not announced or required such requirements in the province for any person or occupation, including regulated health professions like chiropractic.

The ACAC has been, and continues to be, in regular contact with public health officials, government, and health partners on the pandemic and on our profession’s ongoing response measures. As we have through this entire pandemic, the ACAC will rapidly communicate any changes to public health requirements or government direction to you, our members.

As both the health profession regulator and advocacy organization for chiropractors in Alberta, the ACAC has a dual mandate.

The role of the College, as defined in legislation, is to regulate chiropractic in Alberta in the public interest. Included in this requirement is the dissemination and implementation of provincial public health orders and directives and developing specific standards and guidelines for chiropractic that serve and protect the public. All policy positions based on government or public health direction are decided by the ACAC Council, which is composed of public members and elected regulated members. All members of Council have the responsibility to make decisions in the public interest.

The Association is responsible for advocating for and advancing the profession. We have communicated with Albertans through advertising, with stakeholders, and with MLAs and Ministers through this pandemic to inform and educate about the work members do to protect patient safety while providing quality chiropractic health care. We continue to do so.

Alberta’s chiropractors have consistently and expertly implemented practice protocols, as directed by the ACAC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive and public health policies including masking, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, and managing point of care contacts. These actions clearly and purposefully demonstrate our profession’s continual commitment to excellent, patient-centred care.

As there continues to be much discussion about vaccination, I would like to reiterate the Registrar’s messages on the topic. While some chiropractors have chosen to disclose their personal vaccination status in response to inquiries, it is not a requirement to do so. That is personal health information and it is up to your professional and personal discretion. I also want to remind chiropractors that you must refer patients who ask questions related to vaccination of any sort to a health professional who has vaccination within their scope of practice.

I know that some members would like to see the ACAC take a compelling stand on one side or the other of these public policy questions.

At this time, Council will continue to monitor government and public health actions, but we will not make a public policy statement like some health profession associations have done recently.

We will continue to inform members about the important and essential health-care treatment and services that Alberta’s chiropractors provide the public and advocate for that continuance even if new measures are introduced.

You and your staff have delivered safe, beneficial treatment to thousands of Albertans through this pandemic. I know that will continue.

In health,