LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new executive order from President Donald Trump is changing federal recommendations for childhood vaccines, raising questions about what the changes could mean for Kentucky families.
Trump signed the order Monday, reducing the number of vaccines included in the federal childhood schedule.
The updated schedule includes 12 vaccines, including those for chickenpox, tetanus, HPV and polio. RSV and hepatitis vaccines would be reserved for children considered at higher risk.
The annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine would be left to decisions between doctors and patients.
The order recommends separating the MMR combination vaccine into individual measles, mumps and rubella shots given at different times, rather than the two-dose schedule currently used.
Jennifer Burchett, a nurse administrator with the Clark County Health Department, told WKYT that change could be difficult to carry out.
The MMR combination vaccine has been used since 1971.
"We will continue to use what we have," Burchett said, adding that the changes could create confusion for families and health care providers across state lines.
The order also points to autism rates as part of the reasoning behind the vaccine changes, but medical research has not found evidence that vaccines cause autism.
Retired family physician Jeff Foxx said there is no scientific basis for that connection.
The executive order also does not immediately change Kentucky's school vaccination requirements.
States determine which vaccines children must receive to attend school, meaning any changes to Kentucky's requirements would have to go through the state legislative process.
For now, Kentucky health officials are encouraging parents with questions about their child's vaccines to talk with their pediatrician, family doctor or local health department.
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