SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Separating Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine May Limit Access for Colorado Parents
WHY IT MATTERS
This move may limit access to vaccines for Colorado parents, particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases, and could lead to more physicians stopping the offering of vaccines, restricting choice and access.
What happened
A recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump aims to give parents more flexibility in vaccine choices by separating the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. However, this move may actually make it harder for parents to exercise choice and customize vaccines due to manufacturing and distribution limitations.
The CDC recommends children receive one dose of the MMR vaccine at 12-15 months and a second dose at age 4-6 years. The MMR vaccine has a long safety record, with some evidence suggesting the combination may yield a stronger immune response.
No scientific evidence shows any benefit in separating the combination MMR vaccine into three individual shots. Colorado state law allows parents to opt out of vaccines required for school attendance, but a slower vaccine schedule might not be enough to achieve community-wide immunity against measles, which is 95%.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Separating the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could decrease access for Colorado parents
The Conversation US · Jennifer Reich, Professor of Sociology, University of Colorado Denver · CC BY-ND; link/attribution intake only—no edited republication