On Monday, August 10th, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order that would significantly change the childhood vaccination schedule in the United States by recommending that the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine be administered across three separate visits rather than as a single shot.

The order, which also directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enhance vaccine safety research, reflects ongoing efforts by Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reduce the number of childhood vaccines. Trump emphasized a focus on autism, suggesting multiple times that increased vaccination rates have contributed to rising autism diagnoses.

“Effective immediately, my administration is recognizing gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious and dangerous diseases, along with the MMR, which hopefully will be split up,” Trump said in the Oval Office. He added that while the recommendations are strong, the decision ultimately rests with parents. He also noted that this updated schedule aligns the U.S. with other developed nations.

Medical experts have criticized the proposal, warning that splitting the MMR vaccine could leave children vulnerable to infectious diseases for longer periods. Additionally, many states, which set their own vaccination requirements, have expressed distrust in the Trump administration’s guidance and indicated they will not follow the new federal recommendations.

After signing the order, Trump acknowledged the inconvenience of the new schedule, stating, “It’s inconvenient, it’s five stops, but it’s something that I think will have a huge impact on autism.”

Sources