Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Buffalo pediatrician is trying to give parents some clarity when it comes to vaccines for children.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week that calls for fewer childhood vaccines (from 18-to-11) and also recommends splitting the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) shots.
"The executive order does not have any effect on New York State Department of Health requirements or regulations," said Dr. Steven Lana of Delaware Pediatrics.
He went on to say that the order is not binding with the Departments of Health in any state.
"The states have the authority and ability to generate their own requirements and their own recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics have not changed their requirements or recommendations."
Lana acknowledged that the order will lead to more confusion and to vaccine hesitancy, which has been increasing following the Covid pandemic.
"This is a time when we need clarity and informed advice backed by science and medical facts and this executive order lacks in both of those," noted Lana.
Under the President's order, the childhood Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine will be split into three separate shots.
Lana said there is no data, no science that supports the recommendation.
"It also exposes children to risk because it means three separate doctor's visits and potential delays in being protected. We've seen what's happening already with hesitancy of the measles vaccine. We're seeing unprecedented numbers of measles cases. This does not add clarity and it is not informed. It is someone's opinion."
He also pointed out, that as of now, separate shots of those vaccines is not available.
The order recommends cutting the number of overall vaccines for children from 18-to-11, dropping shots for diseases including hepatitis, meningitis, flu and rotavirus.
"This is a time when we need clarity and informed advice backed by science" - Dr. Steven Lana
"This is a time when we need clarity and informed advice backed by science" - Dr. Steven Lana
