Donald Trump issues parents worrying vaccine advice to ‘lower rates of autism’ in kids

The US President has shared alarming childhood vaccine advice, suggesting that smaller doses could cause ‘a difference in the rate of autism,’ despite researchers finding no link between the two.

On Monday (24 August), Donald Trump, 80, hosted a ‘back to school’ education event in the White House Rose Garden, where he made the controversial remarks.

As reported by USA Today, the Republican leader told the crowd that he’s ‘reformed the vaccine recommendations to protect America's youth’.

In case you missed it, he was talking about how earlier this month, he signed an order that calls for fewer childhood vaccines and recommends splitting the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) shots.

Trump explained: “We’re strongly requesting, even telling people, when you get your shots for your young child - this has to do, we think, with preventing autism - that you go to the doctor for five small shots instead of one big, massive shot.”

Trump made the remarks during a 'back to school' event at the White House (JIM WATSON/Getty Images)

He continued: "You do it in five different shots. Small little shots where those beautiful little bodies can handle it, and I think you're going to see a very big difference in the rate of autism."

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged that many scientific studies have looked into this topic and ‘to date, the studies continue to show that vaccines are not associated with autism’.

Trump’s order recommends that the number of childhood vaccines should drop to 11 from 18; however, the change serves as guidance rather than a mandate, as the shots required for school attendance are decided upon at a state level, not by the federal government.

As reported by the BBC, Trump said when he announced his new vaccine measures: "Decades ago, children received only a small fraction of the vaccines required today.

“In those times, people were much healthier, and of course the high rates of autism now observed did not exist."

A number of experts have expressed their concern over the order, warning that it could reduce vaccination rates and expose children to harmful illnesses.

Dr Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), described the order earlier this month as ‘not only disheartening but dangerous’.

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order suggesting controversial new childhood vaccine rules (JIM WATSON/Getty Images)

He said in a news release: “Today’s executive order is not based on ‘gold-standard science’. There is no new evidence to justify significant changes to childhood immunization guidance.

“Dozens of studies involving millions of people show there is no link between vaccines and autism, and yet federal leaders continue to promote this outdated, disproven idea to scare families.”

While Jan K. Carney, the President of the American College of Physicians, also called the move ‘problematic and deeply concerning’.

She said in a press release: “This executive order is part of a troubling pattern by the administration to attempt to unilaterally change vaccine guidance, particularly for children, rather than relying on the transparent, scientific review that has guided the US childhood vaccine schedule for decades.

“If implemented, the changes could increase costs to patients and families, including additional copays, while also placing a greater burden on families needing to schedule multiple appointments for a multiple-dose MMR vaccine.

“Children and caregivers deserve better consideration for the downstream impact of these proposed changes.”

Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.