American Academy of Pediatrics warns Trump vaccine order dangerous

President of the American Academy of Pediatrics Andrew Racine on Monday called President Donald Trump’s executive order to reduce childhood vaccine requirements “dangerous,” as measles cases hit a 35-year high and flu season approaches.

Racine said the order, signed Monday, undermines public health just as preventable diseases surge across the U.S. “As measles cases reach a 35-year high in the U.S. and with cold and flu season quickly approaching, today’s executive order on vaccines is not only disheartening but dangerous,” he said in a statement. The order directs federal agencies to review and possibly weaken vaccine mandates for children, a move critics say could erode trust in immunization programs already strained by misinformation.

Measles cases in the U.S. have soared this year, with outbreaks linked to unvaccinated communities and international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,274 measles cases through August, the highest since 1992. Public health experts warn that reducing vaccine requirements could trigger even larger outbreaks, especially as respiratory illnesses spread in fall and winter. The AAP represents 67,000 pediatricians and has long advocated for strong vaccine policies to protect children and communities.

The executive order comes amid a broader push by some conservative groups to expand exemptions for school vaccine mandates, citing personal freedom. But Racine said the policy could “reverse decades of progress” in disease prevention. “Vaccines save lives,” he said. “Any policy that makes it easier for children to go unvaccinated puts all of us at risk.” The AAP plans to challenge the order through advocacy and public education, while urging states to maintain strong vaccine laws. Health officials say the stakes are rising as flu season begins and COVID-19 continues to circulate, increasing the burden on hospitals and families alike.