- Washington state health officials confirmed that school vaccine requirements have not changed for the coming academic year in response to President Trump's executive order.
- Public health experts have widely criticized Trump's executive order, emphasizing years of research supporting the MMR vaccine and the current childhood vaccine schedule.
- The Washington Department of Health stated that requirements and guidance will remain the same for the upcoming academic year, based on recommendations from trusted medical and public health experts.
- Mike Faulk, spokesperson for the state Attorney General, indicated that the office will review the executive order for its impacts on Washington but did not comment on potential legal actions.
- In Washington, children attending school, preschool, or childcare must provide documentation of immunity against 11 diseases, including chickenpox and whooping cough.
- According to the state schedule, children should receive their first MMR dose between 12 and 15 months old, and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
- During the 2025-26 school year, approximately 95% of K-12 students received their MMR shot, while about 90% of kindergartners did, which is below the herd-immunity threshold of 95% for measles.
- About 2.8% of all children received exemptions from the MMR shot, a figure that has increased almost every year since 2019.
- Trump has suggested a link between childhood vaccines and rising rates of autism spectrum disorder, a claim that has been widely discredited by public health researchers.
Washington state health officials announced that childhood vaccine requirements will remain unchanged for the upcoming academic year, despite President Trump's recent executive order aimed at revamping immunization practices. The order, which suggests scaling back childhood vaccinations and separating the MMR vaccine into three shots, has drawn significant criticism from public health experts.12
The state Department of Health emphasized that its guidelines are based on recommendations from trusted medical professionals. They urged the public to adhere to existing vaccine guidance to ensure the safety of children. Mike Faulk, spokesperson for the state Attorney General, indicated that the office will review the implications of Trump's order but did not confirm any potential legal actions.4
Currently, Washington mandates that children attending school or childcare must provide proof of immunity against 11 diseases, including measles, mumps, and rubella. According to state health data, during the 2025-26 school year, approximately 95% of K-12 students received their MMR shot, while 90% of kindergartners were vaccinated, which is below the herd-immunity threshold of 95% for measles. The number of exemptions from the MMR vaccine has been steadily increasing, with 2.8% of all children and 4.5% of kindergartners claiming exemptions.5789
Trump's executive order has reignited the controversial debate surrounding vaccines, as he has previously suggested a link between childhood vaccinations and autism, a claim that has been widely discredited by scientific research.
“Washington requires immunity documentation against 11 diseases, and about 90% of kindergartners received MMR shots last year, below the 95% herd-immunity threshold. The state attorney general's office will review the order for impacts but hasn't said whether it will pursue legal action.”
