(CNN) Pete Buttigieg's campaign sought to clarify the South Bend Mayor's position on vaccines on Wednesday after an initial statement said the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate supported some religious and personal exemptions.

Buttigieg's initial statement drew criticism from Democratic activists and some journalists online, with some accusing the mayor's campaign of standing with anti-vaccination proponents -- also known as anti-vaxers -- who choose not to vaccinate their children for a number of reasons.

"Pete does support some exceptions, except during a public health emergency, to prevent an outbreak," a spokesperson for Buttigieg told Buzzfeed News for a piece that published on Tuesday. "These exemptions include medical exemptions in all cases (as in cases where it is unsafe for the individual to get vaccinated), and personal/religious exemptions if states can maintain local herd immunity and there is no public health crisis."

But early on Wednesday, a spokesperson looked to clean up that statement by emphasizing "there is no evidence that vaccines are unsafe."

"Pete believes vaccines are safe and effective and are necessary to maintaining public health. There is no evidence that vaccines are unsafe, and he believes children should be immunized to protect their health," the spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. "He is aware that in most states the law provides for some kinds of exemptions. He believes only medical exemptions should be allowed."

Read More