President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reducing the number of vaccines recommended for all children from 18 to 11. The new guidelines exclude flu, COVID-19, and hepatitis A and B, allowing vaccination decisions to be made based on a child's health status and risk of infection.
According to the White House on August 10, the diseases for which vaccination is now recommended include measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella.
The White House explained that while the CDC had recommended vaccinations or preventive measures for 18 diseases as of 2024, this number has now been reduced to 11. At that time, the CDC also recommended vaccinations for 17 diseases and antibody treatments for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, as well as RSV and meningococcal infections, will now be administered based on the risk of infection among children. Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 will not be universally recommended; instead, doctors and guardians will assess the child's condition to determine vaccination.
The vaccination approach will also change. Instead of the combined MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella, each vaccine will be administered separately at different times. Other vaccines will also be recommended to be given separately rather than in combination.
However, the separate administration of the MMR vaccine cannot be implemented immediately, as single vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella are not currently available in the U.S. The executive order stipulates that separate vaccinations will be conducted once single vaccines are supplied, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with coordinating supply with pharmaceutical companies.
During the signing ceremony, President Trump reiterated concerns that increased vaccination rates may be linked to rising autism rates. He stated, “The number and types of vaccines children receive have significantly increased compared to the past,” arguing for the need to space out vaccinations.
However, the U.S. medical and scientific communities report that there is no credible scientific evidence supporting claims that vaccines cause autism. In fact, there are concerns that longer intervals between vaccinations could delay or miss immunizations, increasing children's exposure to infectious diseases.
This executive order does not immediately change vaccination standards across the U.S. The authority to mandate vaccinations for school entry lies with state governments, not the federal government.
Legal issues also remain. The Trump administration had previously reduced the CDC's childhood vaccination recommendations in January, but medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, filed lawsuits, and a federal court temporarily suspended the revised guidelines in March. Additional lawsuits regarding this executive order are also likely.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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