WHO defends vaccine science as Trump seeks to decrease childhood vaccinations
The WHO advocates for vaccine schedules grounded in scientific evidence as Trump seeks to decrease the number of childhood vaccinations, prompting worries about the resurgence of preventable diseases.
The WHO stated on Tuesday that vaccination recommendations are grounded in comprehensive scientific evidence and expert evaluations, as President Donald Trump seeks to decrease the number of childhood vaccines advised in the United States.
On Monday, Trump signed the order, stating that the updated schedule would offer children “gold-standard” protection while aligning the US more closely with other developed nations that advocate for fewer vaccinations.
Health experts have advised caution when it comes to comparing vaccination schedules between countries, emphasizing that different nations encounter distinct disease risks and possess diverse healthcare systems.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević stated that the guidance on vaccination is founded on over 60 years of research conducted by the WHO, national health authorities, and independent expert groups.
He stated that the timing of each vaccine is established by evaluating when individuals are most susceptible to specific diseases while also taking into account the development of the immune system.
Jašarević stated that national immunization advisory groups usually consist of experts from various fields who offer independent, evidence-based recommendations to governments and those managing vaccination programs.
He mentioned that these groups also rely on guidance from the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, referred to as SAGE, when formulating national vaccination schedules.
“What comes out from WHO is science-based,” Jašarević told reporters in Geneva, encouraging countries to depend on the most reliable scientific evidence.
Trump’s order has faced backlash from medical organizations, public health experts, and vaccine manufacturers, who argue that there is no new scientific evidence to justify a change in the current US vaccination schedule.
Doctors have cautioned that cutting back on recommended vaccinations may increase the risk of preventable diseases in children while also generating confusion for parents regarding the appropriate timing for their children’s immunizations.
The order also mandates that the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, referred to as MMR, be administered as three separate injections.
Merck, the manufacturer of the vaccine, has stated that there is no published scientific evidence demonstrating any advantage to splitting the combined vaccine. The company also cautioned that mandating separate visits might heighten the chances of delayed or missed vaccinations.
