Map Shows States That Could Defy Trump's New Vaccine Order

A map has surfaced, highlighting states that might resist President Donald Trump's recently issued childhood vaccine order, according to a state-by-state analysis indicating many regions depend on non-CDC sources for vaccine guidance. On Monday, Trump signed an executive order unveiling new Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations, which intend to diminish the number of illnesses children are federally mandated to be vaccinated against and instruct states to reassess school-entry vaccine laws.

The order also proposes that the MMR vaccine be divided into separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella once domestic production resumes, and suggests administering childhood immunizations during distinct medical visits, if possible. As of early May, at least 30 jurisdictions have been relying on sources other than the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for some state childhood vaccine recommendations, according to KFF.

In early May, 26 states and Washington, D.C., depend on alternative sources for all childhood vaccines, while Alaska and Mississippi rely on alternative sources for hepatitis B alone, and Arizona relies on alternative sources for COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccines, according to KFF's May tally. The divide predominantly follows party lines: all 25 Democratic-led jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., rely on sources other than CDC/ACIP for childhood vaccine recommendations, compared to five Republican-led states.

KFF tracks states that have declared they will no longer follow federal government recommendations for childhood vaccines. In Vermont, state health officials recently updated laws to authorize the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council to make vaccine recommendations, drawing from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and trusted medical organizations to create and publish Vermont’s vaccine recommendations.

Similarly, Minnesota's Department of Health emphasizes that their immunization schedule is grounded in extensive scientific research and plans to maintain alignment with professional medical organizations. Washington State's Department of Health acknowledges the executive order but notes that their immunization recommendations remain unchanged, guided by scientific evidence and professional expertise.

This follows earlier attempts by the Trump administration to modify childhood vaccine policy, including a halted HHS proposal in January. Several Democratic-led states, such as California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, have banded together under the West Coast Health Alliance to issue unified, science-based vaccine recommendations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also signed legislation permitting the state to base immunization guidance on independent medical organizations rather than the CDC’s ACIP.