Trump's MMR Vaccine Split Plan Faces Decade-Long FDA Approval Hurdles

US President Donald Trump's executive order to separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines into individual shots faces significant obstacles. None of the single-disease shots are licensed in the US, and it could take years for any to become available.

According to Merck & Co ​and GSK, there is no scientific evidence supporting the separation of these vaccines, and decades of data demonstrate their safety when combined. Merck estimates that even under expedited review pathways, it could take 10 years or more to meet FDA approval requirements for single-disease shots.

Dr. Andrew Racine, president of ​the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggests that separating the MMR vaccine into its constituent components would be a costly and timely process. Jesse Goodman, former Chief Scientist at the FDA, agrees, stating that manufacturers would need to invest in new facilities or expand existing ones.

Some experts warn that Trump's order could increase vaccine hesitancy, exposing more children to preventable illnesses. A White House official claims that the administration will work with the private sector to make separate vaccines available for parents, relying on market-based solutions.