Trump Executive Order Revises Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule, Separates MMR
President Trump signed an executive order on August 10, 2026, revising federal childhood vaccine schedules by requiring separate measles, mumps, and rubella shots instead of the combined MMR vaccine and narrowing the list of immunizations recommended for all children. The order, titled Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations, affects the federally recommended schedule that state Medicaid programs and health plans use for EPSDT coverage determinations. The changes take effect immediately for federal guidance, though state Medicaid agencies will need to determine whether and how quickly to align coverage policies with the revised schedule. This matters for state agencies and health plans because EPSDT requires coverage of ACIP-recommended vaccines, and any federal schedule changes trigger operational questions about coverage mandates, provider network readiness, and member communication.