health
Trump wants to split the MMR vaccine. Experts say that's unlikely
Doctors and other experts say that splitting the measles, mumps and rubella shot has no scientific basis and is unlikely to get off the ground.
TL;DR
- President Trump's executive order calls for splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots.
- Experts state there is no scientific basis for separating the vaccine and that it has repeatedly been proven safe and effective in its combined form.
- Splitting the vaccine could lead to significant logistical limitations and result in more delayed or missed vaccinations.
- The move could further undermine public confidence in vaccine safety, especially given the recent resurgence of measles cases.
- Vaccine manufacturers have little incentive to develop standalone shots, which would require significant time and resources and likely not reach the market soon.
- Separating the vaccine could increase the number of shots a child receives, contradicting claims that children receive too many.
- The U.S. childhood vaccination schedule is based on immune system readiness and risk for illness; spacing out vaccines could increase the chance of missing shots for preventable diseases.
- Some experts fear the change could confuse parents and cause them to delay immunizations.