Australian medical experts have warned that vaccine scepticism emerging in the US could take hold locally, as childhood immunisation rates show a downward trend.
Key facts
- Australia recorded a 3% fall in one-year-olds fully immunised against hepatitis B, according to the Guardian.
- US President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for children to be vaccinated against fewer diseases.
- The order suggested a link to autism despite no supporting evidence.
- The official number of recommended childhood immunisations in the US would drop to 11, down from 18 at the end of 2024.
Australian medical experts have warned that a shift in child vaccination advice in the United States is not grounded in science and could undo decades of public health advances, according to the Guardian.
The concern follows a move by US President Donald Trump, who signed what the Guardian described as an unprecedented executive order calling for American children to be vaccinated against fewer diseases. The order suggested a link to autism, despite no evidence supporting such a connection.
Under the change, the official number of recommended immunisations for children in the US would drop to 11, compared with 18 at the end of 2024, the Guardian reported.
Experts in Australia fear that the influence of US messaging could filter through to local attitudes, with the report noting that ‘anything Trump says filters through.’ They worry this could contribute to falling vaccination confidence.
The warning comes as Australia records a 3% fall in one-year-olds fully immunised against hepatitis B, continuing a downward trend, an expert told the Guardian.
Health authorities have long relied on high immunisation coverage to protect against diseases such as hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella, and experts caution that declining rates could reverse public health gains built over decades.
Why it matters
Childhood vaccination programs have prevented widespread outbreaks of serious diseases for decades, and experts warn that declining confidence could put that progress at risk. Because messaging from the US often influences Australian attitudes, health authorities are concerned scepticism could spread beyond American borders.
Frequently asked questions
What did the US executive order change about childhood vaccines?
According to the Guardian, the executive order signed by Donald Trump called for American children to be vaccinated against fewer diseases, reducing the official number of recommended childhood immunisations to 11, compared with 18 at the end of 2024.
Is there evidence linking vaccines to autism?
No. The Guardian reported that the order suggested a link to autism despite no evidence supporting such a connection.
How are Australian vaccination rates changing?
Australia recorded a 3% fall in one-year-olds fully immunised against hepatitis B, continuing a downward trend, according to an expert cited by the Guardian.