Trump wants big pharma to split kids’ vaccines. They’ll probably ignore him

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that aims to separate combination vaccines, such as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, into individual shots. Public health experts have strongly criticized the order, arguing that it would have significant financial, logistical, and public health implications.

The order requires federal officials to develop plans for unbundling the MMR vaccine and spacing out other vaccinations within 90 days. However, pharmaceutical scientists and former FDA officials suggest that implementing these changes would be costly, time-consuming, and would not be supported by scientific evidence. Currently, there are no separate measles, mumps, or rubella vaccines available in the U.S.; all approved vaccines are combination shots.

Combination vaccines like the MMR have been the standard in the U.S. since the early 1970s and have been shown to increase the likelihood of children being fully protected from infectious diseases before starting school. Health experts maintain that there is no scientific justification for changing course to individual vaccines.

Under the order, the federal government would need to overhaul its vaccine manufacturing process, build new plants capable of producing more doses, and conduct extensive studies to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of individual vaccines. Establishing new manufacturing facilities typically takes about five years, according to industry experts.

The order would also require parents to make many more visits to the doctor's office, potentially straining pediatricians and increasing costs associated with syringes and other medical supplies. Overall, health experts argue that the executive order represents bad public health policy and would likely result in fewer children being fully vaccinated.