Trump mandates vaccine schedule overhaul, splitting combination shots

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that overhauls federal vaccine guidelines, a move that would dismantle the standard measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) combined shot and require all immunizations to be administered separately.

The directive seeks to cement policy changes proposed earlier this year to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccination schedule, which were temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Under the order, the CDC—which traditionally sets vaccine recommendations—would lose its sole authority to the White House in determining how vaccines are delivered.

The order instructs that the combined MMR vaccine be split into three individual shots as soon as such formulations are available in the U.S. It also recommends that each vaccine be given during separate medical visits, a long-standing preference of Trump, despite research showing that administering vaccines together is safe, reduces discomfort, and cuts healthcare costs.

Health experts warn that the changes could complicate

Health experts warn that the changes could complicate vaccine delivery, add logistical burdens for patients and providers, and increase the number of required appointments. The order also raises questions about federal authority, as vaccine scheduling has traditionally been left to public health agencies.

The move is part of a broader push to reshape federal health policy, drawing both praise from critics of the current schedule and alarm from medical professionals who fear it could undermine vaccination rates. Legal challenges are expected as the order tests the limits of presidential power over public health recommendations.