Trump Executive Order Reshapes Childhood Vaccine Schedule

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to reshape the nation's childhood vaccine schedule after earlier changes attempted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were blocked in court.

The executive order directs federal agencies to split childhood vaccines into three categories with different recommendations and proposes separating combination vaccine doses into individual shots. Kennedy previously reduced recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, though courts blocked that action.

Trump stated during the signing, "This updated recommendation finally aligns the United States with other advanced and developed nations around the world. More importantly, it aligns us with common sense and knowledge."

Kennedy committed to implementation within 90 days, saying his department would ensure "the medical advice that their government gives them is worthy of their trust."

The NIH is investigating possible autism causes through 13 research grants, with early results expected within weeks. Officials including NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya have emphasized that children should generally receive vaccinations while discussing the recent measles outbreak.

Kennedy appointed autism advisory board members with antivaccine connections in January. Trump concluded the announcement by asserting, "Nothing bad can happen from what we're doing."