Trump Signs Order Cutting Childhood Vaccinations from 17 to 11

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 10, reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccinations to 11 from 17. The move aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s goal of limiting inoculations, despite his anti-vaccine views being repeatedly debunked by scientists.

The new schedule, which was previously cut back in January but halted by a federal court ruling, will now only support the remaining 11 shots. The order also recommends splitting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots given at different medical visits.

Health experts have rejected the changes, with the American Academy of Pediatrics and vaccine maker Merck criticizing the move. Dr. Elizabeth Mack, a pediatric critical care physician in Charleston, South Carolina, questioned whether parents would be asked to make more visits and whether those visits would be reimbursed.