Doctors Warn of Confusion from New Vaccine Order
Medical professionals express concern about President Donald Trump’s executive order on vaccines, suggesting it may incite fear and confusion among parents. As measles outbreaks continue, immunization rates are falling, and children return to school, doctors emphasize the importance of vaccines. Michigan pediatrician Dr. Molly O’Shea stated that as families complete back-to-school preparations, ensuring their children receive vaccinations is vital. She decried questioning vaccine safety or efficacy at this time.
The order, signed on Monday, proposes administering the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as three separate shots. It also advocates for spacing all childhood immunizations into individual appointments. Trump’s health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been attempting changes to the vaccine schedule, although a federal judge blocked previous attempts.
Despite extensive studies debunking any connection, Trump has repeatedly insinuated a link between vaccines and autism. Vaccine researcher Dr. Paul Offit criticized these unsupported claims, particularly as the U.S. experiences its largest measles outbreak in over three decades. He warned this rhetoric could create chaos, leaving people uncertain about their vaccine schedules.
Trump’s use of the term “lethal” to describe the MMR vaccine further concerns doctors. Dr. Paul Offit and others note the vaccine’s longstanding safety record, highlighting that the diseases it prevents are more dangerous. Dr. O’Shea mentioned that separating the MMR vaccines offers no scientific benefit; simultaneous administration provides a stronger immune response.
No separate measles, mumps, or rubella vaccines currently exist for children in the U.S., but Trump’s order seeks to introduce these options. Trump spokesperson Kush Desai argued that providing parents with more options could increase vaccination rates. Still, doctors worry Trump’s statements may perpetuate false beliefs, linking vaccines to autism, which researchers have denounced.
Dr. Andrew Racine, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized that extensive global studies have not found any link between childhood vaccines and autism. Dr. O’Shea criticized Trump’s revival of debunked theories as misleading and harmful to families.
The executive order fosters confusion over vaccine timing and selection, as Trump’s administration previously attempted to revise immunization guidance. A federal judge stopped these restrictive recommendations, which differed from the established schedule protecting against 18 diseases. Dr. O’Shea affirmed that the current schedule is well-researched and crafted to coincide with the child’s immune system development.
Insurance coverage remains unchanged, with Medicaid, CHIP, and most private health plans covering the recommended vaccines until at least 2027, according to Chris Regal from AHIP.
Despite assurances, doctors anticipate rising vaccine hesitancy, with federal data indicating declining kindergarten vaccination rates and a record high in exemptions during 2024-25. Experts fear that families may omit essential vaccines, leaving children susceptible to preventable diseases.
Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert, stressed the need for clear, evidence-based guidance for parents, warning that political interference could undermine vaccine confidence, ultimately affecting children’s health.
Medical writer Mike Stobbe and video journalist Mary Conlon contributed to this report.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives contributions from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP retains full responsibility for the content.