WHO sharply criticizes US child vaccination policy

The World Health Organization (WHO) reacts with concern and sharp criticism to the US government's child vaccination policy. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order to reduce the number of recommended vaccinations. He also calls for combined vaccinations to be divided into several doctor visits. This is “not in line with the state of science,” countered WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva.

“Vaccination policy should be based on a well-founded, independent and transparent assessment of the best available knowledge and not on political influence,” demanded Tedros in a press conference.

The current evidence is clear: vaccines - including the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella - are safe, said Tedros. The preparations would not cause autism, he emphasized. Trump once again linked his new course to the sharp increase in the number of autism diagnoses.

WHO experts pointed out that the MMR combination vaccination would easily protect many children. However, splitting it up into several stitches and appointments would increase the effort for parents. This could lead to children not receiving all partial vaccinations and increase the risk of illness and death, they warned. “This is going in exactly the wrong direction,” WHO chief scientist Kate O’Brien said of U.S. policy.