President Trump’s proposal to split certain routine childhood immunizations into multiple smaller doses and potentially space them months apart is raising important questions about how changes to the vaccination schedule could affect children and families. Trump said Friday that some vaccines could be divided into five doses given six months apart.
The proposal comes as the administration continues to reshape federal childhood vaccine recommendations. In August, Trump signed an executive order calling for fewer immunizations over a longer period and recommending that the combined MMR vaccine be separated into three shots.
The discussion comes amid continued debate over childhood vaccination policy and as federal officials have provided limited details about how the proposed changes would be implemented.
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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