President Trump's new executive order directing federal agencies to align with a Department of Health and Human Services study recommending a narrower childhood vaccine schedule has reignited a contentious national debate over vaccine policy, parental choice, and public health.
The order instructs federal agencies, including the CDC, to review and potentially revise vaccine recommendations to reflect a schedule that would reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children while shifting others to high-risk or shared decision-making categories. The move builds on efforts championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and comes amid ongoing legal challenges and concerns from public health leaders.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Elizabeth Choma is a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at the GW School of Nursing.
Jennifer Walsh is a clinical assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing and primarily teaches pediatrics and health assessment.
Emily Smith, is an associate professor of global health and an expert in infectious diseases and epidemiology, at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Asefeh Faraz Covelli is an associate professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the GW School of Nursing.
David Diemert is the clinical director of the GW vaccine research unit and professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Jose Lucar is an associate professor of infectious diseases at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Kelly Gebo is the dean of the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. An infectious disease physician and epidemiologist, Dr. Gebo’s research has focused on disparities in access to care and outcomes among people affected by HIV, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases.
Sara Rosenbaum, is the Emeritus Professor of Health Policy and Management, and previously served as founding Chair of the Milken Institute School of Public Health Department of Health Policy at George Washington University. She is a nationally recognized expert on health care access for vulnerable populations.
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