On August 11, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that recommends changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, specifically suggesting that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine be administered as three separate shots. The order is expected to face legal challenges and is not likely to have an immediate impact on vaccine access for parents. Trump stated that the new recommendations aim to address concerns about vaccines and autism, a claim that has been widely disputed by medical experts.
Dr. Jan K. Carney, president of the American College of Physicians, criticized the order, stating it reflects a troubling trend of altering vaccine guidance without scientific review. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who is also a physician, expressed his disagreement, emphasizing that vaccines are safe and effective.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has indicated that creating separate vaccines for the MMR components could take a decade. While Trump claimed that children in the past received fewer vaccines and were healthier, doctors noted that prior to the measles vaccine, thousands of hospitalizations and deaths occurred annually due to the disease.
The executive order requests reports from relevant agencies within 90 days and does not immediately change vaccine access. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically sets vaccine recommendations, which guide health insurance coverage. The order suggests reducing the number of recommended immunizations from 18 to 11 diseases.
Medical organizations have pushed back against the proposed changes, citing a lack of credible scientific evidence. The CDC has stated that there is no benefit to separating the MMR vaccine into individual shots and that vaccines do not overload a child's immune system. The White House confirmed that it continues to recommend the measles and polio vaccines.