March of Dimes responds to executive order on childhood vaccines

Statement from Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer

March of Dimes leads the fight to improve the health of all moms and babies, and one of our main goals is to end preventable infant mortality. Immunization is a key strategy for making sure that every baby is safe and has a chance to reach their first birthday. At the turn of the last century, infectious diseases were a leading cause of infant deaths. Thanks to the development of safe and effective vaccines and historically high immunization rates, many of those illnesses that were once fatal have been completely or nearly eliminated and are no longer a major threat. Despite this progress, we still lose approximately 20,000 babies each year. Now is not the time for us to turn our back on evidence-based public health strategies that keep babies alive and healthy.

Historically, the recommended immunization schedule for children in the U.S. has been developed through a rigorous, transparent, and science-driven process. This process includes open meetings, expert testimony, and opportunities for public input to ensure recommendations reflect the best available evidence and protect all children. Monday’s announcement from the White House seems to once again depart from this established approach and endorses recommendations that do not fully reflect the scientific consensus for what is needed to safeguard the health of infants, children, and adolescents.

Families rely on the guidance of public health and clinical professionals, who in turn rely on recommendations developed through transparent processes informed by evidence and scientific expertise. Actions that sidestep public input and expert consensus risk creating confusion and undermining trust at a time when clarity and confidence in public health guidance are essential. That trust is particularly important at this moment when we’re seeing a resurgence in illnesses that are preventable by immunization. Monday’s announcement follows on the heels of reporting by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just last week noting 2,465 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2026 (already surpassing the total for all of 2025, with five months left in the year).

Routine childhood immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases is one of the most effective public health tools we have. Vaccines prevent illness, disability, and death, save lives across the lifespan, and have resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare cost savings in the U.S.

The CDC has long cited vaccination as one of the greatest public health achievements of the past century. Particularly, routine childhood immunizations have led to dramatic reductions in disease burden nationwide, lowering the incidence of illnesses such as hepatitis B and rotavirus by nearly 90% and preventing an estimated 24 million cases of illness each year.

March of Dimes stands by the vaccine recommendations published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and continues to support a transparent, science-driven process for immunization policy — one that keeps all children and families safe and healthy.

Released: August 12, 2026