Five Officials Tell Reuters Trump's Autism Frustration Drove the Vaccine Order, and That It Changes Little

Five current and former administration officials told Reuters on Aug. 24 that Trump's frustration over what he considers a likely contributor to autism drove the Aug. 10 executive order cutting the federal childhood immunization schedule. The same officials privately said the order alone does not substantially change U.S. vaccine policy and will not satisfy Trump or Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s base. One official said the order was 'quickly cobbled together' this summer after a July 31 cabinet meeting at which Trump pressed Kennedy on autism research.

The account, if accurate, describes a major public health instrument produced to answer a political impatience rather than a completed scientific finding. Medical experts say a vaccine-autism link has been refuted by studies covering millions of children.

The White House and HHS declined to comment on what led to the order. A federal court ruling from March blocking Kennedy's earlier schedule changes remains in force pending appeal.