An American flag flies near a "Make America Healthy Again" banner hung on the Humphrey Building, in Washington, D.C. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
This month's US executive order that cut back the number of childhood vaccinations was driven by President Donald Trump's frustration that his administration was not doing enough to address what he considers a likely contributor to autism.
Reuters spoke to five current and former officials, who privately say the order alone does not substantially change US vaccine policy and will not satisfy Trump’s demands or Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s "Make America Healthy Again" political base.
Kennedy and his allies are instead focused on a series of studies that examine what they say are the dangers of vaccines, including a potential link with autism.
Medical experts and scientists say such concerns have been thoroughly refuted by studies examining millions of children over many years.
Reuters One Essential Read is sent three days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here.
Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here.
This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement.
