San Francisco Department of Public Health Statement on Vaccine Safety

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is deeply concerned over recent federal actions that promote inaccurate information about the safety of vaccines, especially as the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States threatens to undo our national achievement of eliminating measles a quarter century ago.

The data are clear: vaccines do not cause autism, and there are no new data to suggest otherwise. Leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Disease Society of America, have clearly stated this as well and continue to recommend routine childhood vaccinations.

A core responsibility of public health departments is to keep communities safe from disease. Vaccines are one of our most effective tools to prevent serious illness and death from communicable diseases among children and adults in San Francisco. SFDPH remains committed to following the data and will continue to strongly recommend safe and effective vaccines that protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans.