Sen. Bill Cassidy criticizes Trump vaccine order as inconvenient and risky

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to be administered as three separate injections would force parents to make six doctor visits instead of two. > "Now, instead of going to the doctor twice to get their child vaccinated, they have to go six times," Cassidy told CNN. He added that the additional visits would mean more missed work for parents and could lead to higher income loss. Cassidy also warned that the policy could result in more children falling ill.

During an appearance on ABC News’ "This Week," the senator linked the proposal to declining presidential poll numbers, saying the administration had lost sight of affordability and convenience for families. He noted that the order contradicts the existing combined MMR vaccine, which health experts say remains safe and effective.

Trump’s order calls for each childhood immunization to be given at separate medical visits. The president has defended the change, stating that the worst outcome would be no effect. Immunologists and vaccine specialists have rejected the rationale for the separation.

Cassidy, who voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary despite concerns about the nominee’s anti-vaccine stance, has become an increasingly vocal critic of the president after losing a primary endorsement. He said the policy does not improve children’s health or reduce parental costs and could diminish protection against preventable diseases.