RFK Jr. Falsely Claims New Evidence Supports Splitting MMR Vaccine
FactCheck.org — 2026-08-18 16:28:00 — www.factcheck.org
Trump’s False Claims on MMR Vaccine Safety Contradicted by Scientific Evidence
President Donald Trump has once again promoted false claims about vaccine safety, this time targeting the widely used measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In conjunction with an executive order signed on August 10, Trump asserted that the combination MMR shot is “quite lethal” and that splitting it into single-disease vaccines “will have a huge impact on autism.” The next day, he doubled down, stating that the combined vaccine is “sort of like a nuclear weapon, according to some,” while claiming that single vaccines are “fine.”
No Scientific Basis for Trump’s Claims
Trump’s executive order did not cite any scientific rationale for breaking up the MMR vaccine, which has been in use for over 40 years in the United States. In fact, no credible scientific study supports the claim that separating the vaccine would make it safer or reduce autism risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that there is no evidence to support splitting the MMR vaccine, a position echoed by leading vaccine experts.
Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert, stated, “There are no data to suggest that the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, if divided into its three component parts, will make the vaccine safer. Quite the opposite.” He explained that splitting the vaccine would require children to receive more shots, increasing the risk that some doses would be missed and leaving children vulnerable to these diseases.
Scientific Consensus: No Link Between MMR and Autism
The MMR vaccine has been rigorously studied, with extensive research showing no credible link to autism. A recent study analyzing records from over 2.5 million American children found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. Experts also warn that splitting the vaccine could lower vaccination rates, as more appointments would be needed and some doses could be missed, potentially leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Discredited Sources and “Junk” Science
The only paper cited by supporters of Trump’s order is not new, not credible, and not published in a reputable medical journal. It was co-authored by Andrew Wakefield, the British physician whose fraudulent 1998 study first falsely linked the MMR vaccine to autism. The paper is published in an outlet not indexed on PubMed and has been dismissed by experts as “junk.”
Conclusion
President Trump’s claims about the dangers of the MMR vaccine and its supposed link to autism are not supported by scientific evidence. Public health experts warn that splitting the vaccine is unnecessary and could endanger children by lowering vaccination rates. The scientific consensus remains clear: the combined MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and critical for protecting children from serious diseases.
Source: https://www.factcheck.org/2026/08/rfk-jr-falsely-claims-new-evidence-supports-splitting-mmr-vaccine/