President Donald Trump’s order calling for fewer childhood vaccines received a quick response from New York’s top health official, who made clear school vaccination requirements in New York state would remain unchanged.
Trump on Aug. 10 signed an executive order “calling for more vaccine flexibility and research” and fewer childhood vaccinations, in addition to splitting the childhood measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three shots and delivering them at separate medical visits.
New York Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a statement Aug. 11, saying Trump’s order “doesn’t change New York State’s immunization requirements or recommendations.”
“To be clear: no new research was presented. Vaccines are the best protection for our children and under Governor Kathy Hochul, New York has the strongest public health standards in the country,” McDonald added.
What Trump said about childhood vaccines
From the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said the MMR vaccine is “quite lethal” and that breaking them up makes them “not at all lethal, but just very effective,” according to USA TODAY reporting.
Medical experts say this is not true — the MMR vaccine is not lethal — and separating the shots increases injection pain, leaves children unprotected longer and lowers overall vaccination rates. Manufacturers also don’t currently produce standalone measles, mumps or rubella vaccines for routine use in the U.S., USA TODAY says.
“Parents can still choose to give their children all of the vaccinations if they wish,” Trump said on Aug. 10 before signing the order. “They will be covered by insurance.”
Trump previously tried to cut the childhood vaccine schedule from 18 to 11, but a judge blocked him from doing so in March. Through Monday’s order, federal health agencies are being directed to review and align the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule with recommendations from peer developed nations.
New York officials respond to Trump vaccine order
In responding to Trump’s order, McDonald also alluded to the fact that measles cases so far this year in the U.S. —where the disease was declared eliminated in 2000 due to robust vaccination at the time — have surpassed 2,300, more than all of 2025 and the highest in 35 years.
“With measles cases on the rise across the country, now is not the time to confuse the public,” McDonald said, adding “the MMR vaccine has been protecting children for over 55 years.”
Senator Chuck Schumer, D-NY, also responded to Trump’s order in a social media post that touched on recent federal vaccine policy changes under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2026.
“The ramblings of an insane person,” Schumer wrote on X, referring to Trump’s vaccine-related media event. “No parent should listen to him or RFK Jr. when it comes to vaccinating their child.”
“Stupidity like this is the reason measles cases are reaching their highest levels in decades,” Schumer added.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Trump order calls for fewer childhood vaccines. What it means in NY
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emily Barnes, New York State Team | USA TODAY Network
