WHO Defends Science Behind Vaccine Schedules

The World Health Organization is defending the scientific process for determining immunization schedules after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the number of recommended vaccinations in the United States.

The new plan calls for 11 vaccinations. The president says it will provide children with the “gold standard” of protection and bring the country in line with other developed nations that recommend fewer vaccines. However, experts point out that individual countries face different risks and have different healthcare systems.

World Health Organization spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic emphasized that the recommendations are based on more than 60 years of research. According to him, the timing of vaccinations is determined based on a scientific assessment of the period of greatest vulnerability to disease and the development of the immune system.

The order has been criticized by medical associations, public health experts and vaccine manufacturers. They warn of increased vulnerability among children to disease and confusion among parents.

Trump also recommends splitting the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella into three separate injections. The manufacturer, Merck, says there is no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of such an approach.

(Reuters, bak)