Israeli Experts Warn Against Trump’s US Vaccine Policy Shift Impacting Public Health
Israeli health experts are expressing concern over the recent vaccine policy changes announced by US President Donald Trump, warning that these could influence vaccine decision-making and public opinion in Israel, potentially harming public health. Trump’s presidential order calls for reducing the recommended childhood vaccines, splitting the combined MMR vaccine into three separate shots, and avoiding multiple vaccines during a single doctor visit. Experts emphasize that these decisions lack new scientific evidence and could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Professor Yasmin Maor, head of infectious diseases at Wolfson Medical Center and chair of the Israeli Infectious Diseases Association, stressed that vaccine decisions should be based on data and professional guidance rather than political influence. She warned that the harmful effects of reducing vaccines, such as with hepatitis B, may only become apparent years later, with serious health consequences that cannot be reversed.
Professor Ilan Dalal, chair of the Israeli Pediatric Association, highlighted the risk of decreased herd immunity, noting recent measles outbreaks in the US and Israel. He described Trump’s approach as an "elegant way to kill the vaccine routine," as it encourages shared decision-making between doctors and parents, which could reduce vaccination rates. Professor Galya Griseru from Ichilov Hospital explained that combined vaccines reduce the number of injections and increase completion rates, while splitting vaccines could expose children to diseases during vulnerable periods.
Israeli experts also fear that the US policy shift, driven by anti-vaccine advocates like US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could embolden similar political pressures in Israel. Maor warned that such trends might undermine public trust in vaccines, especially among those already hesitant, and recalled the deadly consequences of measles outbreaks. She urged parents to rely on credible sources for vaccine information to counter misinformation and myths, such as the debunked autism link.
The Israeli medical community plans to issue a position paper opposing the US-style vaccine changes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining current vaccination schedules to protect public health and prevent avoidable illnesses and deaths.
