NIGERIA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced concerns over an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump concerning childhood vaccines. The order aims to reduce the number of routine childhood immunizations and potentially separate combined vaccines like the MMR into individual shots administered at different times.

WHO Secretary-General Tedros Ghebreyesus highlighted the critical role of vaccination in public health, stating that vaccines are among the most powerful tools for preventing deadly diseases. He acknowledged that parents prioritize their children's safety and that vaccines are instrumental in achieving this.

The U.S. President's executive order calls for a reduction in routine childhood immunizations from 18 to 11. It also proposes separating the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three single-disease shots, to be given during separate medical appointments. The policy intends to enhance vaccine research and increase parental choice regarding their children's vaccinations, ensuring compliance with constitutional and federal obligations related to parental authority, religious freedom, and equal protection.

However, Tedros stated that WHO is concerned because these proposed changes are not supported by decades of evidence regarding optimal immunization timing, necessary dosages, and the safety of co-administering vaccines. He emphasized that this evidence is continually reviewed with emerging global data.

“The current evidence is unequivocal: vaccines – including the MMR vaccine – are safe and do not cause autism,” Tedros asserted. He further explained that delaying vaccines or unnecessarily separating doses does not enhance safety and can leave children vulnerable.

Tedros stressed that national experts rely on global evidence and recommendations, including those from WHO, to determine the most suitable vaccines and schedules for their respective countries. He concluded by stating that vaccination policy should be guided by a rigorous, independent, and transparent review of the best available science, free from political influence.