President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aiming to reduce childhood vaccinations by streamlining the vaccine schedule to include only 11 immunizations. Trump believes this approach will provide U.S. children with top-tier protection and bring the country in line with other nations that advocate for fewer shots.

The order reflects the objectives of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal opponent of vaccines who has pushed the debunked theory linking vaccines to autism. Under the order, the childhood MMR vaccine would be divided into three doses administered during separate medical appointments.

Previously in January, Kennedy had attempted to trim the U.S. immunization schedule by eliminating vaccinations for six out of 17 diseases. However, this move was blocked by a federal court ruling. The new executive order states that the federal government will now only endorse the remaining 11 vaccines.

While the order suggests updated vaccine recommendations, it highlights that individual states hold the authority to mandate vaccinations for schoolchildren. The order advises states with vaccination requirements to consider aligning their laws with the administration’s preferred timetable.

Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, a Republican, praised the order for enhancing transparency in vaccine recommendations. Conversely, Democratic governors J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania criticized the decision, with Pritzker expressing concerns about the spread of misinformation regarding measles.

Medical associations, public health experts, and pharmaceutical companies have also disapproved of the order. Dr. Aaron Milstone from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlighted that conflicting messages could confuse parents, potentially leading to delayed vaccinations.

Critics have raised concerns over the recommendation to split the MMR vaccine, with Merck stating there is no scientific evidence supporting this practice. Dr. Elizabeth Mack, a pediatric critical care physician, questioned the feasibility of the recommendation due to the lack of licensed single-antigen vaccines in the U.S.

The World Health Organization defended the science-based approach used to determine immunization schedules, emphasizing the extensive research supporting vaccination recommendations. Trump, Kennedy, and White House officials claimed that the new order would significantly reduce the number of injections children receive compared to the previous schedule.

Experts caution that the figure of 72 injections under the previous schedule is misleading, as it includes combination shots like MMR counted as multiple injections. The order has sparked debates among health professionals and policymakers, with some voicing concerns about the potential impact on public health.