Trump to sign executive order calling for spacing out childhood shots

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Monday that aims to modify childhood vaccine recommendations, according to a White House fact sheet. The order will advocate for a revised approach to administering vaccines, emphasizing that each vaccine should be given separately during distinct medical visits. This directive also calls for the National Institutes of Health to boost vaccine research efforts, the fact sheet reveals, with the information initially reported by The Daily Caller.

Critics, including public health experts, warn that spacing out vaccines as suggested by Trump could potentially elevate the risk of children contracting vaccine-preventable diseases before receiving their subsequent vaccinations. Trump has a history of doubting the connection between the number or timing of vaccines and autism spectrum disorder, an assertion that stands in stark contrast to the scientific consensus and extensive research findings that firmly reject any link between the two.

The implementation of these new guidelines comes at a time when school years are beginning across the country, and the nation grapples with a measles outbreak. This outbreak poses a serious threat of the United States losing its measles elimination status.