Trump pushes overhaul of US childhood vaccine policy
In an executive order, President Trump calls for fewer recommended childhood vaccinations and more spacing between shots. Medical experts warn the changes lack scientific backing and could leave children less protected.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday proposing significant changes to U.S. childhood vaccination policies. The order suggests reducing the number of recommended immunizations and administering vaccines in separate appointments. Specifically, it calls for separating the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine into three single-dose shots.
Trump framed the move as a victory for parental rights and scientific standards. The federal government will maintain oversight over 11 key childhood vaccines, while states retain control over most school vaccine requirements. Approval for the separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines is not currently authorized in the U.S. Public health experts argue that spacing vaccines can expose children to preventable illnesses for longer periods and increase the risk of delayed or missed booster doses.
A top pediatrician and the American Academy of Pediatrics estimate that developing and approving the separate vaccines could take over a decade. Former Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had previously advocated for removing six vaccines from the schedule, a plan blocked by a federal judge. Critics argue that Trump's order is driven by political motives and conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines, contradicting scientific consensus that links vaccines to public health and does not increase the risk of autism.
Written by urgent.news from Deutsche Welle Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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