Trump to sign executive order to reevaluate childhood vaccines

President Trump signed an executive order on Monday outlining new recommendations for childhood vaccinations. During his remarks, he mentioned that autism played a role in the guidance. The order proposes limiting the number of vaccines recommended for children and categorizing them into tiers. Some vaccines, such as those against RSV, hepatitis A and B, would be recommended for high-risk children only.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, would be given as three separate shots. The order also suggests vaccinating children in separate visits when possible. The recommendations would drastically alter decades of federal guidance on childhood vaccinations, just as the school year begins in many states. The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the order as disheartening and dangerous in a statement.

The executive order directs the Health and Human Services Department to reassess vaccine sequencing and timing within 90 days. The president repeatedly referred to autism during his announcement, claiming that the increase in autism rates is a reason to reduce the number of vaccines. However, research has found no evidence linking vaccines to autism.

The order was issued despite a federal judge blocking the CDC's recommended changes to the childhood vaccine schedule earlier in the year.