Trump Signs Order Splitting MMR Vaccine Into Separate Shots

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 11, 2026, titled Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule. The order directs health officials to split the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots and recommends that immunizations be administered during separate medical visits. Trump claimed the combined version could be "lethal" and suggested a link between vaccinations and rising autism rates.

The order overrides the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and restricts certain immunizations, including those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal disease, to high-risk children only. It further calls for alternatives to aluminum used in some vaccines and categorizes shots into those recommended for all children, those for high-risk groups, and those requiring shared clinical decision-making, such as influenza and Covid-19 vaccines.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aide Stephen Miller supported the measure, with Miller claiming the current schedule had not been studied. Medical experts and the CDC contested these claims, stating there is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism or suggesting that separating the MMR shot provides any benefit. While the order serves as federal guidance, the U.S. Attorney General is tasked with challenging conflicting state laws. Experts warned the move could increase costs for manufacturers like GSK plc and Organon & Co., and potentially lead to an increase in preventable illnesses.