Pres Trump signs order to reduce childhood vaccines & reduce autism
and Sec of Health Kennedy is the witness
Aug 2026, WSJ
A new Executive Order from US Pres Donald Trump wants wide changes to childhood vaccine recom-mendations. His plans would result in fewer vaccines being recommended overall; the combined measles, mumps and rubella/MMR vaccine being replaced with 3 separate vaccines, and all childhood immunisations being administered during separate medical visits widely spread out. Is there any science behind the Order? And what are the likely implications?
The main outcome could be parental uncertainty, American Academy Paediatrics said, with conflicting messages delaying vaccinations. Noting measles cases are already at a 35-year high in US, the concern was that with any extra delay, more children could be harmed with deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. Clearly an executive order has no legal effect on the public, but it’s likely to pressure US states to change vaccination requirements before children can attend schools. And it prepares for legal challenges against states that implemented their own vaccine recommendations.
The Order won’t be copied in other countries, said Prof of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. No country wants to deal with the costly outbreak responses that occur, but the short-term risk is that non-USA parents get the false impression that the vaccines offered aren't safe. The long-term risk is that poor information will lead to lower vaccination rates in the nation, and the world will see a resurgence of previously prevented diseases. Finally non-vaccinated U.S children might visit other countries and spread diseases abroad.
Why did Trump do this? He’d often claimed that vaccinations causes autism and made the same link when signing this Order. After the Order, World Health Organisation-WHO reiterated the science-based process used to set child immunisation schedules in many nations. WHO told a press conference that vaccine schedules must be made by science experts, free of political control.
Do MMR vaccines cause autism? Prof Child Public Health at Uni College London found no link in any scientific studies; in fact the vaccine has saved millions of lives. False claims linking the MMR vaccine and autism were made by British Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998 in Lancet Medical Journal. His paper was retracted and Wakefield was struck off the UK’s medical register. But he’s been lauded by anti-vaxxers and he attended Trump’s 1st inauguration.
Is there any science supporting the breaking up of MMR vaccines into separate injections? The 3 vaccines have never been administered as separate doses to young children in U.S policy, so that policy’s safety statements are untrue; just by delaying protection it could be a serious step backwards for protecting children’s health. Giving them separately.. leads to risking children’s health.
Prof Paediatrics at Bristol Uni asked would these proposals affect vaccination rates? Studies of communities with low vaccination rates typically find that, while hesitancy can be an issue, accessibility also plays a role eg getting children to many health appointments. Spacing vaccines across separate visits increases the likelihood of delayed or missed doses, leaving children susceptible for longer.
The main outcome could be parental uncertainty, American Academy Paediatrics said, with conflicting messages delaying vaccinations. Noting measles cases are already at a 35-year high in US, the concern was that with any extra delay, more children could be harmed with deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. Clearly an executive order has no legal effect on the public, but it’s likely to pressure US states to change vaccination requirements before children can attend schools. And it prepares for legal challenges against states that implemented their own vaccine recommendations.
The Order won’t be copied in other countries, said Prof of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. No country wants to deal with the costly outbreak responses that occur, but the short-term risk is that non-USA parents get the false impression that the vaccines offered aren't safe. The long-term risk is that poor information will lead to lower vaccination rates in the nation, and the world will see a resurgence of previously prevented diseases. Finally non-vaccinated U.S children might visit other countries and spread diseases abroad.
Why did Trump do this? He’d often claimed that vaccinations causes autism and made the same link when signing this Order. After the Order, World Health Organisation-WHO reiterated the science-based process used to set child immunisation schedules in many nations. WHO told a press conference that vaccine schedules must be made by science experts, free of political control.
Do MMR vaccines cause autism? Prof Child Public Health at Uni College London found no link in any scientific studies; in fact the vaccine has saved millions of lives. False claims linking the MMR vaccine and autism were made by British Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998 in Lancet Medical Journal. His paper was retracted and Wakefield was struck off the UK’s medical register. But he’s been lauded by anti-vaxxers and he attended Trump’s 1st inauguration.
Is there any science supporting the breaking up of MMR vaccines into separate injections? The 3 vaccines have never been administered as separate doses to young children in U.S policy, so that policy’s safety statements are untrue; just by delaying protection it could be a serious step backwards for protecting children’s health. Giving them separately.. leads to risking children’s health.
Prof Paediatrics at Bristol Uni asked would these proposals affect vaccination rates? Studies of communities with low vaccination rates typically find that, while hesitancy can be an issue, accessibility also plays a role eg getting children to many health appointments. Spacing vaccines across separate visits increases the likelihood of delayed or missed doses, leaving children susceptible for longer.
ACRC trials poster
Protect yourself and your family from measles with vaccinations
Instagram
Trump signed an Executive Order to limit childhood MMR vaccines, claiming a link between vaccines and autism. Decades ago children got only a small fraction of the vaccines required today, he said. In those times, people were much healthier and of course the high rates of autism now observed did not exist. The President has long cast doubt on the safety of MMR vaccines, even though studies found no connection between MMR vaccines and autism.
Medical experts criticised Trump’s Order, saying it could reduce vaccination rates & expose children to disease. The Order recommends that the number of childhood vaccines drop to 11 from today's 18, given by American Academy of Paediatrics: measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, chicken pox etc. Trump's Order isn't as a mandate, since injections required for school attendance are set by the states, not by the federal government.
Trump stated the MMR vaccine could be quite lethal if given at once, comparing it to pouring a bottle of soda into a child's body. FDA noted a single dose of MMR is 0.5ml so when a reporter asked for evidence of the lethal claim, Trump said What I've heard is that there are some people that say it is that way. We're reducing the vaccines, and they’ll be done in a series of visits to the doctor.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention/CDC reported the MMR vaccine carries little risk of febrile seizures for todd-lers; those with health issues eg severe allergies should consult doctors beforehand. Getting the vaccine has proven much safer than getting measles/mumps/rubella. CDC found no published scientific evidence that shows any benefit in separating the mixed MMR vaccine into 3 individual shots. Experts say that allowing time between injections makes children more likely to contract diseases then or more likely to miss later appointments. (I’ve the best memory in this nation yet embarrassingly I forgot to return for my 6th Covid injection!!). Nashville’s Vanderbilt Uni School of Medicine reported the more future bookings made, the harder for doctors to track, plus it would add to expenses.
Trump stated the MMR vaccine could be quite lethal if given at once, comparing it to pouring a bottle of soda into a child's body. FDA noted a single dose of MMR is 0.5ml so when a reporter asked for evidence of the lethal claim, Trump said What I've heard is that there are some people that say it is that way. We're reducing the vaccines, and they’ll be done in a series of visits to the doctor.
Paediatrician prepares to administer a measles vaccination
during Washington's outbreak
Mother Jones
Trump officials have said the order means U.S children would receive fewer than the number recommended by the existing vaccine schedule. Pres of American Academy of Paediatrics Dr Racine said Trump's Order was not based on quality science. Delaying injections is risky; measles will spread once children go back to school.
A Danish 2002 MMR Study, in New England Journal Medicine, tracked 537,303 children born 1991-8. Another nationwide cohort study evaluated 657,461 children born 1999-2010, carefully looking at children with high-risk factors. The 2025 study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, analysed data from 1.2 million+ children born 1997–2018. The three Danish studies found no association, reaffirming that the MMR vaccine does not increase autism risk.
It's not my business what other nations do, but I have 3 first cousins in US & would be devastated if their babies died.
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26 comments:
I find his interference in medical matters very disturbing. His lack of understanding in a number of areas such as health and climate change will have a negative impact decades from now.
What I can't understand is why he would do this. I can't believe he would act out of some twisted altruistic beliefs. Neither he nor Kennedy have any medical qualifications, and they clearly do not understand the concept of herd immunity. Just be pleased it hasn't happened here....yet.
I now receive a Covid booster when I receive my flu vaccination. That way means I don't forget, or tell myself that I must do that soon. So come the beginning of May, both vaccinations.
That is almost child abuse.
Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred every c2-3 years and caused c2.6 million deaths each year.
c95 000 people died from measles in 2024 – mostly children under 5 years, living in low-income, fragile or conflict-affected countries.
Any parent with a grain of common sense will continue to believe that vaccinations are A GOOD THING.
Trump should NOT be allowed to sign any documents of this nature, he has ZERO training or knowledge of anything medical, preferring to believe something is true because he has "heard a lot of people saying this".
He's an idiot! And so are his boot-lickers.
It's been proven that babies and children who have had the necessary vaccinations are safe from those disease you have mentioned. I can't for the life of me understand both those men's thinking, all they are going to do is having these diseases spread throughout the world as children do travel with their parents and even on their own at times. To break up the injection separately for each disease is so silly, more costly to the parents having to return more times to the Doctor or whoever has the authority to give these injections. Such a shame these men don't have a better brain, Hels.
It is unbelievable that the word of a man, who is probably nearer to insanity then sanity should be dictating the health requirements of a whole nation. Power is dangerous, especially when it speaks from the depths of ignorance.
Are parents of young children in Australia required to supply documented proof of inoculation history, before the youngsters start kindergartens and primary schools?
Fun60
You cannot expert a Prime Minister or President to have expertise or even average understanding of medical and scientific issues.. that is why they appoint an expert as the Minister for Health. Even then, the Minister is formally supported by a state-wide body of experts from universities, hospitals and international bodies, before any legislative proposals are made.
Worse still, the Minister/Secretary of Health in the USA has no expertise in medicine.
Andrew
the only altruism could be, I used to believe, directed at God. Many groups believed that healing should come through faith and divine providence, NOT through doctors' intervention. Now I think the changes are more likely to weaken the public health system and pour money into private health and insurance systems instead.
It is child abuse, yes. Young children don't know what basic healthcare they would be missing and cannot REQUIRE their parents to demand proper medical services.
But it is parental abuse as well. Imagine a parent driving the children a long way to a doctor for the three MMR vaccines together and has to come back again a year later for yet another appointment If I had loved my children and had taken the day off work to protect them, I would definitely feel abused :(
WHO
The World Health Organisation is indeed a specialised agency of the United Nations. Yet Its health guidelines and declarations are largely non-binding. Countries choose to cooperate or adopt health policies based on their own national interests.
As there were 192 nations in the WHO, meaning that the only ones operating outside full membership were Liechtenstein, Argentina and, from last year on, the USA.
River
If I wasn't married to a doctor for 55 years, would I read the WHO's detailed reports and the Danish studies of 700,000 youngsters to check if the President is promoting death and disease? Probably not.
Even the judges in the highest courts are afraid to oppose the new Executive Order becoming legislation.
Margaret
I totally agree with you that any new legislation could have some major negative impacts:
a] they are going to spread these diseases throughout the world as unvaccinated children will still travel with their parents
b[ ordering the MMR injection to be spread over three different appointments is likely to mean many youngsters will never finish the series. Let alone the tetanus, diphtheria etc, usually expected early in primary school.
c] costs will go up for families already struggling.
thelma
there is already a big difference in vaccine statistics for American children. Regional variation is heavily driven by individual state-level exemption policies, public health funding and the balance of urban versus rural populations. While some southern states still maintain very high immunisation rates due to strict laws, other parts of the South and Midwest lag behind New England and the Northeast (see Frontiers)
Joe
yes indeed. Children MUST show medical certificates proving they are fully vaccinated to enrol in kindergartens or long day care. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are very careful in meeting this requirement. Vaccination is not legally required to enrol in a primary school in any state.
In a new report released by the US Trade Representative, 54 countries – including Australia, China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom – were found to have "failed to impose a legal prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part with forced labour and to effectively enforce such a prohibition." All of those countries face a proposed 12.5% tariff on their exports to the US.
If they can do it because of slavery in Australia, they could do it for not banning or reducing dangerous vaccinations for young children.
UNSW
Australia has slavery? And so we pay a 12.5% tariff on our beef and copper??? Imagine what the tariff would be.. if we were told to reduce or ban MMR injections for young Australian children.
Boa noite minha querida amiga Helen. Obrigado pela visita e comentário. Eu considero o Trump, um idiota, louco e narcisista. Uma excelente noite de segunda-feira, para você e todos os seus familiares na Austrália e um grande abraço do seu amigo carioca.
Luiz
I think health standards must be maintained according to WHO research findings, regardless of the each national leader's politics. Health legislation and practices are to benefit _all_ citizens, not to punish those who don't support his politics.
When I hear or read about people wanting to stop vaccinating against this or that it pisses me off, they talk about the vaccines not being needed but it is due to the vaccines that the amount of people affected by some diseases, they are so stupid
Jo-Anne
Even brilliant scientists can make mistakes and in 20 years, people with certain allergies may be asked to home school permanently without any inoculations. But WHO checks and rechecks scientific medical research every time. U.S politicians do not.
Following this suggestion is like taking medical advice from a 5 year old. And maybe a 5 year old could have better advice. I hope people listen to their doctors and not someone who is totally unqualified .
Hels, I am horrified about what is happening in the States. Not just about vaccinations, which is just unbelievable, given the science, but about everything. I just can't believe the state that country is in, and what they are doing to the rest of the world, but also, that no one seems to be able, want to? do anything about it. Just awful.
anjhella
thank you for reading the post. But never EVER advertise casinos in my blog please... they are dangerous.
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