President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that calls for revamped childhood vaccine recommendations, promoting his belief that childhood shots should be administered in separate medical visits. The order specifically recommends separating the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three distinct shots given during separate appointments. It also directs the nation's health department to enhance vaccine research, according to a White House fact sheet.
Trump stated at the Oval Office that he believes one-year-olds should have their vaccinations spaced out over five separate visits, though it was not specified if this pertained to all or only certain vaccines.
Public health experts have voiced concerns that spacing out vaccinations could increase the risk of children contracting vaccine-preventable diseases before they can receive subsequent doses. Vaccine schedules undergo rigorous study, and safety monitoring continues for years after their introduction.
While the order advocates for updated vaccine recommendations, states, not the federal government, retain the authority to mandate vaccinations for schoolchildren. The executive order will advise states with existing school vaccine mandates to consider revising their laws to align with the administration's suggestions.
This action follows a December directive from Trump ordering the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review vaccine recommendations in other developed nations and consider revising U.S. guidance. HHS had previously proposed reducing the number of recommended vaccines for children, a move that was later blocked by a court.
In the months leading up to this announcement, the Trump administration had largely shifted its focus away from vaccine policy. This pivot aimed to address less controversial topics like healthy eating and efforts to lower drug prices, particularly in the lead-up to the November elections. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans still support school vaccine requirements, although Republicans are statistically less likely than Democrats to view them as important.
Trump has expressed a persistent interest in a connection between autism and vaccines. He has recently increased pressure on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to identify the causes of autism. Trump publicly sought an update on autism research from Kennedy during a Cabinet meeting last month.
"How are you doing on the autism research?" Trump asked. "We will have an answer for you," Kennedy replied.
Scientific consensus, supported by decades of studies, has consistently found no link between childhood vaccines and autism. Kennedy reiterated his belief that an unidentified environmental factor is responsible for the rise in autism diagnoses and stated that his department will release research findings "as soon as they are ready."
The executive order was issued as school years commence nationwide and amid a measles outbreak that experts warn could lead to the U.S. losing its measles elimination status.