Trump order to split MMR collides with falling MN vaccination rates
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing HHS to study breaking the combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine into three separate shots and spacing childhood vaccinations over more visits.[1] Public health officials warn the move could delay immunity for children during a measles uptick in Minnesota.
The order asks HHS to explore single-antigen measles, mumps and rubella shots and to consider longer intervals between routine childhood vaccines.[1] Single-antigen MMR vaccines are not available in the United States now, so experts say it is unclear when or how any change could be implemented. Trump tied the order to his belief that vaccines can cause autism, a claim the American Academy of Pediatrics flatly rejects.[1]
Minnesota Department of Health data show statewide kindergarten MMR completion fell from 92% ten years ago to 85% in 2026. St. Paul is at 91%, Anoka-Hennepin at 90% and Minneapolis at 80%, all below the 95% coverage considered necessary to prevent measles spread. Minnesota has recorded 17 measles cases this year, and national experts say spacing out doses would leave children vulnerable longer while vaccination rates fall.
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📌 Key Facts
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing HHS to study separating the combined MMR vaccine into three individual shots and spacing childhood vaccines out over more visits.
- Single‑antigen measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are not currently available in the U.S., so it is unclear when or how any change to the schedule could actually be implemented.
- Minnesota Department of Health data show statewide kindergarten MMR completion has dropped from 92% ten years ago to 85% in 2026; St. Paul is at 91%, Anoka‑Hennepin at 90%, and Minneapolis at just 80%, all below the 95% coverage needed to prevent measles spread.
- Minnesota has already recorded 17 measles cases this year, and national experts warn spacing out vaccines would leave children vulnerable longer at a time when vaccination rates are falling.
- Trump publicly tied the order to his belief about a link between vaccines and autism, a claim the American Academy of Pediatrics flatly rejects, saying vaccines do not cause autism.
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