Aug. 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children, sparking widespread concern among the medical community.
At the signing of the executive order during an Oval Office press conference, Trump shared without evidence widely debunked claims that childhood vaccines are linked to an increase in autism diagnoses. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was present for the signing, has maintained this stance as well.
Scientific research into potential links between vaccines and autism has consistently found no connection.
Trump's executive order also advises breaking up MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, which Trump called "quite lethal," into three separate vaccines. In the more than 50 years since the MMR vaccine was developed, there has been no evidence that it is deadly.
"Nothing bad can happen from what we're doing," Trump said.
Vaccine advocates and researchers have warned that reducing childhood vaccine recommendations will make children more vulnerable to disease. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who is a medical doctor, posted on social media that the executive order "is wrong."
"The President does not have the expertise to make these changes," Cassidy wrote. "Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines DO NOT cause autism. Breaking up vaccines will mean children have to get more shots to get the same protection, not fewer shots. It will...
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