Trump signs order reducing recommended childhood vaccines

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that recommends fewer childhood vaccinations, limiting the number of immunizations to 11. The order also proposes splitting the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine into three separate shots, administered at different medical visits. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had previously reduced the US immunization schedule in January by eliminating shots against six out of 17 diseases, a move thwarted by a federal court ruling.

The order stipulates that the federal government will now only back the remaining 11 shots recommended for children. However, the federal government does not have direct control over many aspects covered by the new order. States and territories have the authority to require vaccinations for students to attend school, making Trump's move more of a suggestion than a binding order.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and vaccine maker Merck have criticized the order. Public health experts argue that the immunization schedule is based on decades of evidence demonstrating that these vaccines can protect against serious illness and death. They also maintain that the number of shots reflects the specific health needs of Americans, and reducing the recommended vaccines would leave more children vulnerable to preventable diseases.

During the White House signing ceremony, Trump stated, "Effective immediately, my administration is recognizing gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious and dangerous diseases, along with the MMR, which hopefully will be split up." The US government abandoned its longstanding guidance in January that all children receive vaccines against flu and three other diseases, an action that advances one of Kennedy's long-standing goals.

Longtime vaccine critic Kennedy, who previously led efforts to drop universal recommendations for hepatitis B shots for children and cut the list of recommended vaccines, has previously cited links to autism that scientists have repeatedly debunked. The executive order reaffirms Kennedy's overhaul, despite the ongoing litigation.

As children across the country prepare to return to school, and the US battles its worst measles outbreak in 35 years, the president's latest order arrives at a critical time. Polls indicate that most Americans still support vaccination, and in recent months, both Kennedy and Trump have backed off anti-vaccination rhetoric, which could have negative implications in November's midterm elections.