Key facts
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting childhood vaccinations.
- The order reduces recommended childhood immunizations to 11 core shots.
- Hepatitis B, COVID-19, and influenza vaccines are excluded from the core list.
- The order suggests splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots.
- Medical groups oppose the proposed changes to childhood vaccinations.
- U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to address a food chemical loophole.
- The FDA proposes a rule for increased oversight of food additives.
- Food manufacturers will be required to notify regulators of new ingredients.
- President Trump extended a Jones Act waiver for 90 days.
- Coal and coal-derived products are excluded from the extended waiver.
- The State Department revoked over 175,000 visas during the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccinations to 11 core immunizations, specifically excluding hepatitis B, COVID-19, and influenza. The order also suggests separating the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine into three individual shots. This directive has been met with opposition from medical groups and faces potential legal challenges, though it may not have immediate direct operational effects but could increase political pressure on states regarding vaccine mandates.
In parallel developments, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a plan to address a loophole that allows chemicals in food without prior federal notification. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also proposing a rule change that would require food manufacturers to notify regulators before introducing new ingredients or additives into processed foods. This initiative seeks to close an information gap and enhance postmarket safety oversight of food additives.
Furthermore, President Trump has extended a waiver for foreign-flagged ships to transport commodities between U.S. ports for a period of 90 days. However, this extension comes with new limitations, notably the exclusion of coal and coal-derived products from the waiver. The administration has also imposed stronger oversight, requiring consultation with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on vessel availability.
In other actions, the U.S. State Department revoked more than 175,000 visas during the Trump administration. This figure places the administration on a trajectory to set a new record for visa revocations.