Response to Executive Order 14407 – Realigning United States Core Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is appalled by Executive Order 14407 of May 29, 2026, “Realigning United States Core Childhood Vaccine Recommendations With Best Practices From Peer, Developed Countries.” The executive order not only continues a pattern of misinformation about the well-established scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism but discourages states from adopting a comprehensive vaccine schedule as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The executive order reduces the number of vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thereby eroding public trust in vaccines, while insincerely noting that “instead of implementing vaccination mandates, most peer nations maintain high childhood vaccination rates through public trust and education.”

The assertion that this executive order aligns the childhood vaccine schedule with scientific evidence and best practices, preserves access to vaccines, and protects religious freedom is as bold as the administration’s recent claim that Tylenol causes autism. The unfounded claim that Tylenol, or Acetaminophen, use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism cited only one study, which clearly stated the opposite. This executive order conflicts with scientific evidence and best practices, undermines access to vaccines, and does nothing to protect religious freedoms that were under no threat.

So, what does Executive Order 14407 do? The order recommends:

  • All children get immunizations to provide protection for 11 diseases – a decrease from the 18 diseases recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2024.
    Separating the combined MMR vaccine into three single-disease shots administered during separate medical visits, despite there being a preponderance of evidence that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism.
  • States that enact school vaccine requirements are advised to consider these “Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations” despite the lack of evidence. Notably, the autism community has a history of being harmed by “Gold Standard” claims.
  • Federal agencies are advised to advance these recommendations regardless of the scientific consensus, based on a “scientific assessment” which cited public loss of trust in vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Measles outbreaks, both of which took place under the leadership of President Trump.

While the authors of the “scientific assessment” clarified that “no vaccine should be moved to the ‘not recommended’ category,” they also promoted the use of randomized, placebo-controlled trials to study vaccine efficacy. The unethical nature of suggesting that placebos be administered as part of the childhood vaccine schedule is truly shocking.

For decades, researchers and medical professionals have thoroughly examined the claim that vaccines cause autism. All have come to the same conclusion: vaccines are not linked to autism. The only study that ever suggested a connection was later exposed as fraudulent, retracted, and fully discredited. Autism is a complex developmental disability shaped by genetics and early brain development. It is not caused by vaccines, and it should never be used as a tool to provoke fear.

As an autistic person and the parent of an autistic child, I would ask the public: are we so afraid of our children being born with a developmental disability that we would risk them suffering and dying from a wide range of preventable diseases? Autistic individuals and their families deserve evidence-based guidance—not misinformation that fuels stigma or undermines trust in lifesaving immunizations. The Autism Society of Minnesota remains committed to sharing accurate, evidence-based information and advocating for a Minnesota where autistic people and their families are understood, supported, and valued.

With gratitude for the resilience of our community,

 

Daren Howard (He/Him)
Interim Executive Director
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM)

Citations:

  • Grosvenor LP, Croen LA, Lynch FL, et al. Autism Diagnosis Among US Children and Adults, 2011-2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2442218. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.42218
  • https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/vaccine-studies-examine-the-evidence
  • Majewska, R., Kiełtyka, A., & Mrożek-Budzyn, D. (2010). Lack of Association Between Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination and Autism in Children: A Case-Control Study. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 29(5), 397–400. https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0b013e3181c40a8a
  • Jain A, Marshall J, Buikema A, Bancroft T, Kelly JP, Newschaffer CJ. Autism Occurrence by MMR Vaccine Status Among US Children With Older Siblings With and Without Autism. 2015;313(15):1534–1540. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.3077
  • Hviid A, Hansen JV, Frisch M, Melbye M. Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination and Autism: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Apr 16;170(8):513-520. doi: 10.7326/M18-2101. Epub 2019 Mar 5. PMID: 30831578.
  • There’s more. How much time do you have?
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/along-the-care-path/202409/rethinking-the-gold-standard-for-autism-treatment
  • Høeg, MD, Ph.D., Tracy Beth. Assessment of the U.S. Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Compared to Other Countries. January 2, 2026.
All News
Skip to toolbar