American College of Physicians: Executive order directing changes to U.S. vaccine schedule problematic, deeply concerning and creates barriers to access

Statement attributable to:
Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH, MACP
President, American College of Physicians

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2026- The American College of Physicians (ACP) says an executive order issued today that would implement significant changes to vaccine production, access, and administration and erode school entry requirements, is problematic and deeply concerning. 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 U.S. 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.

Vaccines are one of our most effective tools for protecting public health. The evidence clearly shows that vaccines are safe and effective at preventing deaths, hospitalizations, and the spread of disease. Communities with higher rates of unvaccinated individuals are at greater risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses. The success of a vaccine program depends not only on the effectiveness of individual immunizations, but also on public trust in vaccines as a public health tool. ACP strongly supports increasing vaccination rates, opposes non-medical exemptions to vaccine requirements, and strongly objects to unnecessary barriers that impact vaccine access. The changes that this executive order directs falsely cast doubt on the use of vaccines counter to decades of evidence demonstrating their safety and efficacy and could put the health and well-being of children, families, and communities at risk.

ACP asserts that these changes cannot be allowed to move forward. We must employ as many proven evidence-based methods as possible to ensure sufficient access to vaccines to protect precious lives.

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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 163,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our RSS feed.

Contact: Laura Baldwin, 215-351-2668, [email protected]