Following the State of California’s statement reaffirming that vaccines are not linked to autism, and in alignment with the West Coast Health Alliance, Marin County Public Health is reiterating its commitment to provide residents with information based on the best available scientific evidence in response to recent misinformation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marin County Public Health encourages families to follow the recommended vaccination schedule and to bring their questions to trusted healthcare providers. We offer this guidance with humility about both families’ experiences and the evolving nature of science and remain committed to sharing the best evidence available.
“Vaccines are among the most carefully studied medical interventions we have,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Public Health Officer for Marin County. “We know there’s growing confusion and concern, and we take those questions seriously. At the same time, decades of rigorous research from around the world are clear: vaccines do not cause autism.”
Santora emphasized that the local public health team will continue to rely on established, peer-reviewed evidence and guidance from respected medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). She emphasized that public health depends on trust, which is built through transparency, honesty, and science.
“We are committed to sharing what we know and to updating our guidance if credible new evidence emerges,” Santora said. “Science evolves, and so does our understanding. Our responsibility is to ensure that families in Marin have accurate, evidence-based information to make informed health decisions.”
The scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism is supported by extensive global and U.S.-based research. Multiple large studies have confirmed that there is no credible link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Key examples include:
- A 2019 study in Annals of Internal Medicine that followed over 650,000 children in Denmark, finding no association between the MMR vaccine and autism.
- A 2014 meta-analysis in Vaccine that reviewed 10 studies involving more than 1.2 million children, reaching the same conclusion.
For more information about vaccines and local immunization programs, visit Marin County Public Health.