On August 10, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the number of routine childhood vaccines from the current recommendations to 11. This order is part of a broader initiative led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism towards vaccines.
Trump claimed that this change would align the U.S. with other developed nations and promote 'common sense and knowledge.' He reiterated the debunked notion that vaccines are linked to autism, suggesting that the rising rates of childhood vaccinations correlate with increased autism diagnoses, despite decades of scientific evidence disproving this connection.
The order also proposes splitting the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots, which health experts warn could lead to missed vaccinations due to the increased number of doctor visits required. Trump acknowledged the inconvenience this may cause for parents but insisted that the potential benefits for autism would justify the effort.
He also directed the Department of Justice to investigate state compliance with vaccine mandate exemptions, including parental authority and medical or religious reasons. This executive order follows previous actions by the administration to weaken recommendations for the MMRV vaccine, which includes chickenpox.
Trump's comments on supporting families with the costs of multiple doctor visits lacked specific details, raising concerns about the financial burden on parents