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In a series of recent public appearances, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that young children receive an excessive number of vaccines, consistently citing the figure of “80 different vaccines” being administered to infants and small children.
“They give — I mean, for a little baby to be injected with that much fluid?” Trump stated during a September 21 Air Force One press gaggle. “Even beyond the actual ingredients, they have sometimes 80 different vaccines… It’s like you’re shooting up a horse.”
The following day, Trump repeated this claim four more times during a press conference, where he also suggested an unproven connection between autism and Tylenol. “You have a little child, little fragile child, that you get a vat of 80 different vaccines, I guess, 80 different blends, and they pump it in,” he said.
A comprehensive analysis of the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule reveals Trump’s claims are significantly inflated, regardless of the counting method used.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children aged 10 and under receive approximately 11 different vaccine formulations, not 80. During a child’s first year, the CDC recommends seven vaccine formulations plus an annual flu shot. These include vaccines against hepatitis B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, and rotavirus.
By age 2, children receive their first doses of vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis A, and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Following the complete recommended schedule, children are protected against 14 diseases by age 6, with annual flu vaccines raising this number to 15 diseases.
While Trump’s CDC no longer universally recommends annual COVID-19 vaccination for all children, the American Academy of Pediatrics still does. Including COVID-19 vaccines would bring the total to 12 different vaccines protecting against 16 diseases for children up to age 10.
The next set of recommended vaccines typically begins when children reach 11 to 13 years of age, including HPV (human papillomavirus), meningococcal vaccines, and a tetanus booster.
When counting total doses rather than unique vaccines, the numbers are higher but still far below Trump’s claim. Many vaccines require multiple doses to achieve full immunity. For example, hepatitis B requires three doses, while other vaccines may need four or five doses spread over time.
Dr. James Campbell, a University of Maryland pediatrician and infectious disease expert, explains: “For most vaccines, multiple doses are because we’ve shown that fewer doses than whatever is in the schedule is not fully protective.” The timing and frequency vary by vaccine type, with some requiring boosters for long-lasting protection and others needing multiple doses to catch those who don’t respond adequately to the first dose.
A comprehensive calculation shows that by age 10, a child following the most robust vaccination schedule would receive about 30 vaccine doses, or up to 52 doses if receiving every annual flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Even counting every recommended dose from birth through age 18, including annual shots, the total reaches just 72 doses—still short of the “80 vaccines” Trump repeatedly mentioned.
Furthermore, these doses don’t translate to an equal number of injections. Combination vaccines allow multiple immunizations to be administered in a single shot. For instance, a two-month-old can receive six recommended vaccines through just two injections and one oral administration.
“We’ve worked for a long time, over decades, to figure out which vaccines can go together in the same needle and syringe and still be safe and still immunogenic and protective,” said Campbell.
The volume of liquid in these vaccines is minimal, typically half a milliliter to one milliliter—approximately one-tenth to one-fifth of a teaspoon. “It’s tiny, and babies tolerate it perfectly fine,” Campbell noted.
After thorough analysis, Trump’s repeated claim that “little kids” receive “80 different vaccines” is demonstrably false. The actual number of vaccines recommended for children under 10 is about 12, protecting against up to 16 diseases, administered in significantly fewer than 80 injections.
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20 Comments
This fact check highlights the need for vigilance in verifying claims, even from prominent public figures. Relying on authoritative data sources like the CDC is key to maintaining an informed public discourse.
Absolutely. Responsible journalism that debunks exaggerated or unsupported claims is vital, especially when it comes to public health and safety issues.
The article’s breakdown of the actual number of vaccine formulations recommended for young children is a helpful reality check. It’s a good reminder to always fact-check claims, no matter the source.
Yes, this is an important clarification. Maintaining an accurate, evidence-based understanding of vaccination schedules is crucial for public health.
As a parent, I find it reassuring to see this level of detail and analysis around the recommended childhood vaccination schedule. It’s crucial to have accurate information to make informed decisions.
I agree. Providing context and data is so important, especially on sensitive topics where misinformation can spread easily. This article strikes the right balance.
The article’s breakdown of the actual CDC-recommended vaccine schedule is helpful in understanding the reality versus the rhetoric around this issue. It’s a good reminder to always verify claims against authoritative sources.
Yes, it’s important that public discourse on public health be grounded in facts, not hyperbole. This fact check provides a useful corrective to the misleading claims.
I appreciate the detailed, fact-based analysis provided in this article. It’s a good example of responsible journalism that prioritizes providing accurate information over sensationalism.
Agreed. This type of fact-checking is essential to counter the spread of misinformation and ensure parents have the facts they need to make informed decisions.
The article does a nice job of breaking down the actual number of vaccine formulations recommended for young children, which is significantly lower than the figure cited by the former president. This is an important clarification.
Agreed. It’s crucial that public discourse on vaccination be grounded in facts, not unfounded claims, to ensure parents have accurate information to make informed decisions.
This fact check highlights the need for nuance and precision when discussing complex public health topics like childhood vaccination. I appreciate the effort to provide a balanced, data-driven analysis.
Absolutely. Responsible reporting and fact-checking are essential to counter the spread of misinformation on sensitive issues like this.
Interesting fact check on the number of vaccines recommended for young children. It’s important to rely on authoritative sources like the CDC rather than unsubstantiated claims, even from prominent figures.
Absolutely. Vaccines play a critical role in protecting children’s health, so it’s crucial to have accurate information about the recommended schedule.
This highlights the importance of distinguishing between facts and rhetoric, especially when it comes to public health issues. I appreciate the detailed analysis provided in the article.
Yes, it’s a good reminder to be cautious about claims that seem exaggerated or unsupported by data from reputable sources.
This article highlights the importance of separating rhetoric from reality when it comes to public health issues like childhood vaccination. It’s a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion.
Absolutely. By grounding the discussion in data from authoritative sources, the article helps maintain a balanced, evidence-based perspective on this sensitive topic.