Trump signs executive order reducing childhood vaccine recommendations, sparking concerns in Pennsylvania
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —
An executive order signed by President Trump on Monday reduces the number of diseases covered by routine federal vaccine recommendations and changes how vaccines are administered.
Doctors across Pennsylvania say they are particularly concerned that the changes could delay protection for children, especially as measles cases rise.
Changes to vaccine recommendations
The order decreases the number of diseases covered by federal vaccine recommendations from 18 to 11. It also calls for the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, to be split into three separate shots and for vaccines to be spread out over more doctor visits.
The order also pushes for vaccines to be spread out over more doctor visits.
President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have raised questions about a possible link between vaccines and autism.
“While we do not know exactly what the cause is with respect to autism, it is essential to the research efforts that we have the very best vaccine recommendations in the entire world. So we’re reducing them,” said Trump
Doctors say there is no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism and warn that delaying vaccines could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Doctors warn of delayed immunity
Dr. Pia Fennimore, a pediatrician at Lancaster Pediatrics, said requiring families to return for multiple appointments could create dangerous gaps in protection.
“If we separate them and parents need to come in for a visit each time, it will create a delay in immunity for children,” Fennimore said. “That can be dangerous because here in Lancaster County, measles is a real threat to our children.”
Pennsylvania school requirements
The order does not directly change Pennsylvania’s school vaccination requirements, which are established by the state. However, it directs the Justice Department to work with states on potentially reducing immunization requirements for school attendance.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said doctors in the state will continue to rely on medical evidence when making vaccine recommendations.
“As a pediatrician, I know that splitting up combination immunizations, like the MMR vaccine, creates unnecessary hurdles for parents, needlessly extends the window of risk for our youngest residents, and doesn’t follow the results of the many studies that went into developing the previous vaccine schedules,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said. “Here in Pennsylvania, we will continue to follow the facts and evidence-based medicine to keep our children and communities safe.”
Doctors at Lancaster Pediatrics currently follow the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule. To learn more about the immunization schedule and recommended vaccines for your child, click here.