Trump signs executive order to separate childhood vaccine doses
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President Donald Trump issued an order directing the health department to develop separate single-disease vaccines for children, a move praised by some conservative voters and criticized by Democratic opponents ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to work on separating the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three single-disease shots. The order also calls for a broader review of the childhood immunization schedule, aiming to space out doses over multiple visits.
The measure aligns with Trump’s long-standing position that vaccines should be administered in smaller, more frequent doses, a view he has promoted since at least 2014. Public-health experts warn that extending the interval between doses could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases before they complete the series.
Conservative activist Jayme Franklin, who appeared with the president at the announcement, said the order could appeal to “MAHA mom voters” seeking more flexibility in vaccine recommendations. In contrast, Shaughnessy Naughton, president of the political action committee 314 Action, described the order as another data point for Democrats to emphasize the need for science-based medical advice.
Democratic candidates have begun using the order in campaign messaging. Dr. Richard Pan, a House candidate in California, shared the American Medical Association’s criticism of the policy, while Dr. Annie Andrews, a Senate candidate in South Carolina, urged voters to elect scientists and warned against relying on health information from the administration.
Polls indicate that most Americans continue to support routine childhood vaccination, with only a small fraction of the “MAHA” (Make America Healthy Again) constituency ranking vaccine policy as a top priority. Economic concerns such as health-care costs and food-additive regulations remain higher on the public agenda.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the order reflects a longstanding presidential priority and that other health initiatives, including efforts to increase food-ingredient transparency and lower drug prices, are also being pursued.