The presidents of two major medical associations are criticizing President Donald Trump’s new executive order on childhood vaccines, calling it dangerous.
Trump said the order would split the childhood MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella into three separate shots. The order would also push for childhood immunizations to be administered during separate medical visits instead of during one visit.
American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Andrew Racine called the order “disheartening and dangerous.”
“This is just going to make it more and more difficult for people to get the vaccines that they need,” Racine said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its criticism as measles cases in the U.S. hit a 35-year high. The organization also accused federal leaders of spreading misleading claims.
Dr. Willie Underwood of the American Medical Association said the order puts children’s health at risk.
Underwood said decisions about vaccines should be driven by rigorous scientific evidence