August 21, 2026
Oregon Pediatric Society Stands Up for Oregon’s Children
At the Oregon Pediatric Society (OPS), speaking up for children’s health is not just part of our mission, it is who we are. When policies threaten to weaken protections for kids, we join our voices with pediatric providers and child health advocates across the country, speaking up at both the federal and state levels to push back.
Recently, more than 210 organizations, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics, spoke out against President Trump’s executive order that would leave children less protected. The groups representing physicians, nurses, other medical and public health professionals, scientists and families note there is no scientific evidence for making the changes laid out in the order. The AAP continues to recommend protection against 18 diseases as laid out in its 2026 immunization schedule.
Similarly, various Oregon child health organizations released a state-focused statement echoing these concerns, underscoring the urgency felt not just nationally, but right here at home. Our organizations firmly believe that guidance for families should remain grounded in science, not politics.
These are not just headlines. They represent a critical moment for child health policy, and pediatric providers across Oregon. OPS is paying close attention, standing among the signers of both statements, and fighting for evidence-based vaccine guidance.
Take Action
Policy decisions like these directly affect children and families in Oregon every day. We encourage you to read both statements and reach out to your legislators to share why protecting evidence-based vaccine policy matters for Oregon’s children. Contact your lawmakers today: https://www.vaccineadvocacy.org/campaign/ActNow/
If you are not yet an OPS member, now is the time to join us. Together, our voices are louder, our advocacy is stronger, and our impact for Oregon’s children is greater. Learn more about our membership options and be part of the movement for positive change for children and youth in Oregon, www.oraap.org.
Read the full statements below:
For Release – August 17, 2026
More than 210 Leading Medical, Health and Patient Advocacy Groups Oppose Recent Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines
Our organizations, representing physicians, medical professionals, public health, patients and families, are alarmed by President Trump’s new Executive Order that advises, without evidence, reducing and spacing out recommended childhood vaccines.
As measles surges across the United States and as respiratory virus season approaches, families deserve clear guidance from federal health officials that is grounded in science and aimed at protecting children’s health. Instead, the White House released an Executive Order that undermines confidence in childhood vaccinations and recommends changes that would leave children less protected and families more confused.
In addition, while the Executive Order does not address autism at all, administration officials’ remarks around the release of the order elevated dangerous falsehoods about vaccines and autism. Elevating these debunked claims does nothing to support families of children with autism. In fact, it diverts resources away from promising areas of research.
Our message for parents and caregivers is clear: if you have questions about vaccines, or any other aspect of your child’s health or development, talk with your child’s clinician.
For Release – August 20, 2026
Oregon Health and Family Organizations Call for Action and Reaffirm Support for Science-Based Childhood Immunizations Opposing Federal Executive Order
PORTLAND, OR – On August 10, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. The order bypasses the scientific review process that has long guided national vaccine policy and was issued without new evidence to support these changes.
We stand with the West Coast Health Alliance and share its position: vaccine guidance for our region must remain grounded in safety, effectiveness, transparency, and trust. Oregon families can count on the immunization schedule developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, regardless of changes at the federal level.
Oregon’s vaccination rates are too low to protect our communities from serious and preventable diseases, and these rates are only getting worse each year. This drop in protection is exactly why measles cases are rising in our state. This executive order is dangerous, not scientific, and comes at the worst time when Oregon’s kids and families are already at risk.
Families who have questions or feel confused are encouraged to talk to their local pediatrician or provider for answers. They are trusted resources who can help to answer questions, address confusion, and support shared decision-making.
This executive order was not issued by doctors; it was issued by a politician. Countering its impact will take more than suggestions that families speak to their doctors. We are asking all elected leaders in Oregon to speak out against this and commit to real action to address the confusion caused by these actions.
Through this combined statement, we believe every family in Oregon deserves vaccine guidance rooted in science, not politics. Oregon families are being targeted with waves of misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, all designed to create doubt and confusion rather than to inform. Every Oregonian deserves trusted information and the personal agency to best support the health and safety of their families.
Oregon Public Health Association, https://www.oregonpublichealth.org/
Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, https://oregonclho.org/
Oregon Pediatric Society, https://www.oraap.org
Oregon Association of Family Physicians, https://oafp.org/
Oregon Families for Vaccines, https://www.orfamiliesforvaccines.org/
Immunize Oregon, https://www.immunizeoregon.org/
Our Children Oregon, https://ourchildrenoregon.org/
Oregon Primary Care Association, https://orpca.org/
