Trust for America’s Health Statement in Response to Executive Order on Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

(Washington, DC – August 11, 2026) – Yesterday’s executive order sets forth an unprecedented change to childhood vaccine recommendations. For decades, the childhood immunization schedule has been the product of extensive scientific research, clinical experience, and independent expert review. The executive order bypasses this trusted and transparent process and creates needless barriers to access.

Vaccines are among the most effective tools available to prevent serious, painful, and sometimes deadly diseases. When children receive recommended immunizations on schedule, they are protected against preventable illness, families and communities have reduced risk of outbreaks, and children have a greater opportunity to grow up healthy and strong. If implemented, the changes put forward under the executive order would undermine confidence in vaccines, make it harder for clinicians to give consistent guidance and ensure consistent uptake, and create additional barriers to families trying to keep their children safe.

Ensuring children receive the protection they need requires rigorous science and careful review – not less.  Every child deserves policies grounded in the best available science, guided by trusted experts, and focused on giving children the strongest possible foundation for their future.