Trump changes US child vaccination schedule: only 11 vaccines recommended

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that changes child vaccination recommendations, bringing the number of advised vaccines to 11.

Among the new measures is the reorganization of the administration of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, known as MMR. Under the new scheme, it will not be given in a single dose but will be split into three vaccines administered over three separate doctor visits.

During the signing ceremony at the White House, Trump said his administration supports the use of 11 vaccines, which, according to him, are aimed at protecting against “the most serious and dangerous diseases.”

He also claimed that the United States recommends more vaccines for children than other countries. According to the American president, in some cases the number of doses advised in the US is up to double those recommended in some European countries.

Public health experts have expressed concern over these changes, emphasizing that the childhood vaccination schedule is designed based on scientific data collected over decades.

Specialists stress that vaccination is essential for protecting children from serious diseases, including those that can be life-threatening.

Their warning is that reducing the recommended vaccines could leave more children unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The new order is expected to spark a broad debate in the US among health authorities, experts, and parents, especially regarding the change in the vaccination schedule and the administration of the MMR vaccine in three separate stages.