Trump signs order to space out childhood vaccines, defying medical consensus
President Trump signed an executive order promoting spaced-out childhood vaccines, a move pediatricians warn could increase disease risk and fear.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal health agencies to revise childhood vaccine recommendations, endorsing the unproven theory that immunizations should be spread across separate medical visits.
The order specifically calls for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to be split into three separate shots given at different appointments, according to a White House fact sheet. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to expand vaccine research. Currently, no separate MMR vaccines for children are licensed in the United States.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump again suggested that the number or timing of vaccines could be tied to rising autism rates. This claim contradicts a broad scientific consensus. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that more than 40 well-designed studies involving over 5 million children across seven countries have found no link between vaccines and autism.
Pediatricians and public health experts warn that delaying or splitting vaccines could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases for longer periods. Dr. Aaron Milstone, a member of the AAP's Committee on Infectious Diseases, questioned the rationale behind the change. "Why would we do less, and not give the vaccine at once when we know it's safe and it works?" he asked. He expressed concern that the recommendation could create fear, leading some parents to skip vaccinations altogether.
AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine called the order a source of unnecessary confusion for families. He urged parents to consult their pediatricians, whom he described as the most knowledgeable partners in keeping children healthy.
The order follows earlier attempts by the administration to alter the childhood vaccine schedule, which were blocked by a federal judge. Health officials emphasize that combination vaccines undergo rigorous testing and continuous safety monitoring before and after approval.