health
Trump signs order attempting to override CDC vaccine schedule and break up MMR shots
President and RFK Jr, the health secretary, repeatedly referred to autism during signing, though studies show no link between it and vaccines
TL;DR
- Donald Trump signed an executive order to alter the childhood vaccination schedule, challenging the CDC's authority.
- The order suggests breaking the MMR vaccine into three separate shots and recommending individual medical visits for each immunization.
- Both Trump and Health Secretary RFK Jr. repeatedly mentioned a scientifically unproven link between vaccines and autism.
- The proposed changes would reduce the number of recommended childhood immunizations from 18 to 11 diseases.
- Certain vaccines would be recommended only for high-risk individuals or moved to a 'shared clinical decision-making' category, requiring providers to weigh risks and benefits.
- The order aims to give parents more choice and flexibility regarding vaccinations.
- Executive orders are guidance and do not have direct legal effect, but they can influence state-level decisions and political pressure.
- Experts and some politicians, like Senator Bill Cassidy, have criticized the order, stating vaccines are safe, effective, and do not cause autism, and that breaking up vaccines could increase hesitancy and decrease child safety.