President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that routine childhood immunizations be administered in separate doctor visits, including five distinct appointments for a typical one‑year‑old. The order also calls for the MMR vaccine to be broken into three individual shots and reduces the recommended vaccine count from 17 to 11, signaling a major shift in U.S. vaccine policy.
The order, signed on Monday, directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidance for the new schedule and to improve vaccine research. It instructs agencies to pursue separate MMR components once domestically produced and aligns with a January CDC proposal to cut the vaccine schedule. State health departments retain authority over school‑entry mandates, though the order urges them to consider the changes.
Public‑health officials warn that spacing out doses could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases, especially amid a rising measles outbreak that threatens the nation’s elimination status. Experts also cite the risk of increased vaccine hesitancy, higher out‑of‑pocket costs from multiple co‑pays, and potential widening of existing pediatric vaccination gaps.
The American Medical Association and Senate Health Committee chair Bill Cassidy publicly condemned the order, saying it endangers children’s health and exceeds the president’s expertise. In contrast, the White House argues the changes reflect parental choice and will be supported by insurance and the Vaccines for Children program, though states have already rejected similar CDC recommendations.