Trump cuts childhood vaccine recommendations as doctors warn of health risks

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday calling for fewer childhood vaccinations, limiting core federal guidance to immunisations against 11 diseases.

Trump stated the adjustments would offer children “gold-standard” protection while bringing US policies in line with foreign nations that recommend fewer routine shots.

The executive directive advises breaking up the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three distinct doses administered across separate clinical visits.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long advocated for reductions in the pediatric vaccine schedule.

Medical researchers and global health bodies have repeatedly debunked claims championed by Kennedy alleging a causal link between routine childhood vaccines and autism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck sharply criticised the executive action.

“We are evaluating our next steps,” stated Richard Hughes IV, lead legal counsel for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Merck noted there is no published scientific evidence demonstrating clinical advantages to unbundling the MMR vaccine, warning the mandate could induce delayed or skipped immunisations.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a practicing physician, publicly broke with the administration over the decree.

“I’m a doctor. This executive order is wrong. The president does not have the expertise to make these changes,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy cautioned that unbundling combination shots will force children to endure a higher volume of individual injections to secure identical protection.