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Trump Signs Order Reducing Childhood Vaccines to 11 Types, Separating MMR
🇰🇷 South Korea /Health & Science

Trump Signs Order Reducing Childhood Vaccines to 11 Types, Separating MMR

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11 types.
  • The order also separates the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine into individual shots.
  • Major health organizations and state governments oppose the changes, citing potential risks and lack of scientific evidence for separating vaccines.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that significantly alters childhood vaccination guidelines, reducing the number of recommended vaccines from 18 to 11. The order also mandates the separation of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine into individual shots, administered on different days.

During a White House signing ceremony, Trump stated that only vaccinations for the "11 most serious and dangerous diseases" would be recognized as top-level recommendations. This move formalizes a shift away from the existing schedule, which he and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have argued is excessive and increases the risk of side effects, including autism.

We are reviewing future actions.

— Richard HughesA senior attorney for the American Academy of Pediatrics, commenting on potential legal responses to the executive order.

However, the decision faces strong opposition from a coalition of 12 major health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and 28 state governments. These groups intend to maintain the current 18-vaccine schedule, arguing that the separation of the MMR vaccine is currently impractical as no single-dose MMR vaccine is approved by the FDA. They also warn that increased hospital visits could lead to lower vaccination rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases.

Medical experts further challenge the claim linking vaccines to autism, stating it lacks scientific basis. Richard Hughes, a senior attorney for the AAP, told Reuters that the organization is "reviewing future actions," having previously sued over changes to child vaccination schedules. Vaccine manufacturer Merck also commented, noting the absence of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of separating the MMR vaccine and highlighting the potential for delayed or missed vaccinations with individual shots.

There is no published scientific evidence that separating the MMR vaccine into three doses provides any benefit, and using individual vaccines may increase the number of vaccinations, leading to delays or omissions in immunization.

— MerckThe vaccine manufacturer's statement regarding the scientific basis and practical implications of the new vaccination order.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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