President Trump issued an Executive Order on Aug 10, 2026, regarding the childhood vaccination schedule.
We want you to know that the goal of childhood vaccination has not changed: to keep children healthy and prevent disease. We’re here to support you and your family with information, help you understand the childhood vaccine schedule and your choices as a parent and provide answers to frequently asked questions.
What’s important to know
- The scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of childhood vaccines has not changed. Childhood vaccines continue to be one of the most effective life-saving tools in medicine.
- Your child can still receive any vaccines that are part of the longstanding 17-vaccine immunization schedule.
Vaccines are like seatbelts
We put our children in car seats or have them buckle their seatbelts every single time we are in the car because we do not know when there will be an accident and that car seat or seatbelt will prevent injury or even death. Vaccines are similar. We use them preventatively, because it’s impossible to predict which child will be exposed to a disease and suffer serious health effects.
Just as we wouldn’t put our kids at risk in a car, having timely vaccines helps us reduce our children’s risk from the serious threats posed by infectious diseases. Delaying vaccines increases risk, especially for babies and young children who are most vulnerable.
At Cincinnati Children’s, we believe:
At Cincinnati Children’s, we believe the schedule of 17 routine childhood vaccines offers the strongest protection for children.
We understand that the Executive Order issued by the President may leave you feeling unsure or confused. We encourage you to discuss any vaccine questions with your child’s pediatrician, or a healthcare provider who knows your child and can provide your family with accurate and reliable information.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vaccine Schedule
1. Are vaccines safe?
Yes. Vaccines have been repeatedly proven to be safe, effective and essential for preventing serious childhood illnesses.
2. Now that the President has issued an Executive Order, does that change the vaccines my child may receive?
The Executive Order did not remove any vaccines from being available for use. We continue to recommend children receive vaccines against 17 vaccine preventable diseases.
3. Are vaccines still covered by insurance?
Yes, vaccines are still covered. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate with our patients and families if there are coverage changes in the future.
4. Does the Executive Order mean my child should skip some vaccines that we were planning to get?
No. We encourage you to strongly consider your healthcare provider’s recommendations for your child.
5. Does following the vaccine schedule put my child at risk?
No, we believe the opposite is true. Skipping vaccines means your child will be protected against fewer diseases, which mathematically puts them at more risk for getting infections that are preventable. Following the vaccine schedule is a very safe choice.
6. Have school and daycare vaccine requirements in Ohio or Kentucky changed as a result of the Trump administrative order?
No. None of the requirements in Ohio and Kentucky have changed thus far. We will continue to monitor any changes closely.
7. I’m expecting a new baby and don’t know if I should get Hepatitis B at birth. Should I?
Yes. The vaccine is extremely safe and can prevent your baby from acquiring the infection. Babies infected with hepatitis B in the first year of life have a 90% chance of being infected for life and a 25% chance of dying from a complication of hepatitis B. The vaccine prevents these risks.
8. Should I wait to vaccinate my child against measles, mumps and rubella until those single vaccines are available?
No. The combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective. In the current measles outbreaks, a repeated finding is that over 90% of the children who developed measles were not vaccinated.
No single measles, mumps or rubella vaccines are licensed for use in the United States.
9. Should I split my child’s vaccines and have them administered at separate office visits?
No. Delaying vaccines leaves children unprotected for longer periods of time and makes the vaccine schedule more complicated. It is safe for your child to receive multiple vaccines on the same day.
10. What should I do if I am still confused or unsure about these changes?
Please reach out to your child’s pediatrician, or a healthcare provider who knows your child and your family. Your trusted providers are ready to help answer questions and support you in protecting your child.
