By Michael G. Beaulieu, MD
Medical Director, LMAS District Health Department
Many parents have recently heard about a new executive order from the White House concerning childhood vaccines. The order, signed August 10, 2026, has generated questions about whether children should now receive different vaccines or follow a different schedule.
For Michigan families, the most important message is simple: Michigan’s childhood immunization recommendations and school immunization requirements have not changed.
Michigan continues to recommend the childhood immunization schedule developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has specifically stated that there is currently no new evidence supporting a change to Michigan’s recommendations.
What did the executive order do?
The August 10 executive order directs the federal government to develop a different approach to childhood vaccine recommendations. Among other changes, it establishes categories for vaccines recommended for all children, vaccines recommended for children at increased risk, and vaccines for which parents and clinicians would use “shared clinical decision-making.”
It also directs the federal government to pursue separate measles, mumps and rubella vaccines rather than the combined MMR vaccine and recommends administering childhood vaccines at separate medical visits when feasible.
These represent significant changes in federal policy. However, a presidential executive order does not automatically change Michigan’s medical recommendations or laws.
What does this mean for Michigan children?
Michigan’s recommendations remain based on the current evidence reviewed by public health and medical experts. MDHHS has reaffirmed its support for the AAP childhood immunization schedule and has specifically noted the long history of safety and effectiveness of combination vaccines such as MMR.
Michigan’s school and child-care immunization requirements also remain unchanged. Parents should continue to follow the requirements communicated by their child’s school and health-care provider.
It is important to remember that federal vaccine recommendations and state school requirements are separate matters. The federal executive order does not change Michigan law.
Should parents change their child’s vaccination plan?
My recommendation is no. As a family medicine and public health physician, I recommend that Michigan families continue following the current Michigan immunization recommendations and the AAP schedule. I would not recommend delaying, separating or skipping routinely recommended childhood vaccines because of the recent federal executive order.
Vaccines protect children and communities against diseases that can cause serious illness, disability and death. This is particularly important for highly contagious diseases such as measles, where maintaining high vaccination rates helps prevent outbreaks.
Of course, individual children sometimes have medical conditions or circumstances that require a different approach. Parents should discuss those situations with their child’s health-care provider.
What should parents do now?
There is no need to panic or make abrupt changes. Keep your child’s scheduled appointments, make sure vaccinations are up to date, and talk with your health-care provider if you have questions.
Public health recommendations should always change when high-quality scientific evidence demonstrates that they should. That is an essential part of good medicine. However, there has not been any new evidence to support any changes. Michigan’s recommendations have not changed, and neither should your child’s vaccination plan.
For Michigan parents: continue following the current Michigan/AAP immunization schedule, keep your children up to date, and consult your child’s health-care provider with questions or concerns.
