SF City Attorney Subpoenas Anti-Vaccine Doctor Over Phony Student Exemptions

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office has issued a subpoena demanding records related to medical exemptions for student vaccination requirements written by Kenneth Stoller, a vocal opponent of mandatory vaccines, according to a press release from the office.

Since the 2015 California bill outlawing so-called personal belief exemptions for student vaccination requirements, medical exemptions have increased significantly. Experts, including State Senator Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, have linked that boom to doctors selling unnecessary medical exemptions.

Some children have legitimate medical reasons for not getting vaccines, including being allergic to vaccine ingredients or immunocompromised due to chemotherapy, according to the press release. Those children rely on the protection of so-called “herd immunity,” when vaccine rates are high enough that infectious diseases can’t make in-roads to the community.

“The scary thing is those are the kids most at risk when somebody engages in medical exemption deception. If someone uses a medical exemption they don’t qualify for and introduces unvaccinated children into that environment, the kids who legitimately can’t get a vaccine — and ultimately the general public — are the ones in real danger,” said City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

California is in the midst of a significant measles outbreak.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.