Trump signs executive order to reduce childhood vaccines, falsely linking shots to autism

Published Aug 10, 08:51 PM UTC

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 10, 2026, calling for reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines to 11 and falsely linking vaccines to autism. The order builds on efforts by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic. Trump also proposed splitting the combined MMR vaccine into three separate single-dose shots, despite decades of scientific evidence showing no link between vaccines and autism. The order directs the Department of Justice to investigate state violations of vaccine mandate exemptions. The move comes as the U.S. faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with falling vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts warn that splitting vaccines increases the risk of missed appointments and skipped immunizations.