BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — A new federal executive order on childhood vaccines has drawn attention from parents and health officials. Still, Broome County health leaders say New York families should not expect immediate changes to local requirements.
The executive order establishes what the Trump administration calls “gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations” and recategorizes some vaccines, changing who they are recommended for.
It also calls for the combined MMR vaccine — which covers measles, mumps and rubella — to eventually be administered as three separate shots once single-disease products are available domestically.
The order further directs states to consider revising their own laws and regulations.
New York’s requirements unchanged
New York state law still requires children attending public, private and religious schools to receive required vaccinations — including MMR — unless they have a valid medical exemption.
James V. McDonald, the state’s health commissioner, said the federal order does not change New York’s immunization requirements or recommendations.
“To be clear: no new research was presented. Vaccines are the best protection for our children, and under Governor Kathy Hochul, New York has the strongest public health standards in the country,” McDonald said in a statement on Tuesday.
Dr. Lazarus Gehring, Broome County medical director, said the order has no practical effect on New York’s vaccine procedures.
“What this does is effectively nothing. Vaccines are a state-sort of-organized procedure. So, in New York State, parents need not be concerned. The requirements will remain the same,” Gehring said.
Local officials flag concern over public perception
Gehring said the federal changes could affect how parents view vaccines, even if state requirements stay in place.
“What it does change, though, is parental perception and confidence. So, when you have a leader not following science, it’s a pervasive problem that undermines the confidence of people and things that are proven,” he said.
Connor Lawless of the Broome County Health Department said misinformation remains a barrier to public health. He said some of the most common claims he hears involve vaccines causing autism, causing other illnesses or concerns about vaccine ingredients.
Lawless encouraged parents to consider the source of health information and consult medical professionals with questions.
“Misinformation is just an extremely large barrier to accessing health,” Lawless said. “If you are concerned about a piece of health misinformation, or a piece of health information, just bring it forward with your provider and have them address it for you.”
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