President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to overhaul federal childhood vaccine recommendations, narrowing the list of vaccines recommended for all children to 11 and calling for greater alignment with vaccination practices in other developed countries.
Trump Says Only 11 Vaccines Meet ‘Gold Standard’
The order divides childhood vaccines into three groups based on whether they are recommended for all children, certain high-risk groups, or shared clinical decision-making.
It identifies measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV, and varicella as vaccines recommended for all children.
The order also calls for the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine to be offered as three separate shots once single-disease products are available domestically, and directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review the timing and sequencing of childhood vaccinations.
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‘Hopefully’ MMR Vaccine Will Be Split Up
"Effective immediately, my administration is recognizing gold-standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations, along with the MMR, which hopefully will be split up," Trump said at the White House signing ceremony.
The order directs HHS to develop plans within 90 days for single-vaccine options, alternative adjuvants and stronger vaccine safety monitoring, while advising states to review school vaccination requirements and applicable exemptions.
Merck & Co Inc.‘s (NYSE:MRK) M-M-R II and ProQuad, GSK PLC. (NYSE:GSK) Priorix, and Sanofi SA‘s (NASDAQ:SNY) Vaxelis could be affected, as the vaccines protect against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and several other childhood diseases.
The companies did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
‘There Is Something Wrong’
Trump repeatedly cited the rising number of U.S. autism diagnoses during the signing ceremony.
"There are some groups that have virtually no problem with autism," Trump said. "They’re groups that aren’t big into the world of vaccines, so there is something wrong."
Last year, Trump linked childhood vaccines and Kenvue Inc.’s (NYSE:KVUE) Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, claims that medical groups disputed.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long promoted disputed claims about vaccines and autism, said last week that the administration had identified "certain interventions" that were "almost certainly causing autism"
‘Inaccurate executive order’
In a post on X, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) called the order “wrong”, saying vaccines are "overwhelmingly safe" and "DO NOT cause autism."
“Parents should listen to their child’s pediatrician about vaccines rather than listening to an inaccurate executive order. This is so wrong.”
I’m a doctor. This executive order is wrong. The President does not have the expertise to make these changes.
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) August 10, 2026
Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines DO NOT cause autism.
Breaking up vaccines will mean children have to get more shots to get the same… https://t.co/9RoPfVsU8h
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock/ Joey Sussman
