NC vaccination standards not changing after President Trump’s executive order

CHARLOTTE — Health officials in North Carolina say that even after a new executive order from President Donald Trump about vaccine schedules, the recommendations and requirements in the state haven’t changed.

Trump’s new executive order on Monday recommends a reduction in the number of childhood vaccines from 18 to 11, and it would split up the MMR vaccine into separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella.

A 2024 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found high vaccination rates over the past 30 years prevented more than a million deaths in America. But people in Charlotte told Channel 9 they’re divided.

Beth Eames didn’t support the president, but Steve Lopez did; still, he’s unsure about this executive order.

“Awful, awful, awful,” Eames told Channel 9.

“Changing how many times someone gets a shot could be beneficial maybe, but scientifically, I’m not sure, so like I would still be a little hesitant,” Lopez said.

Novant Health Pediatrician Dr. Catherine Ohmstede says vaccine recommendations and requirements for school-aged children come from the state, so for now, nothing has changed.

“We still encourage parents to follow the vaccine schedule they have been following,” Ohmstede told Chanel 9.

Even if parents want to follow Trump’s new recommendations, the supply isn’t available right now.

“The MMR vaccine ... has been universally recommended by the CDC since 1971,” Ohmstede said. “So after several decades of safety data showed that the vaccine was very safe and very effective, the individual measles vaccine and rubella vaccine were taken off the market 15 years ago or so.”

Officials at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services say they don’t anticipate making any changes.

South Carolina officials told Channel 9 they’re reviewing the executive order.

Every expert we spoke with says it’s most important to speak to your pediatrician to determine what’s best for your child.