20 August 2026
Recent reports on proposed changes to the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule have raised questions about vaccination policies in other countries. This is an important opportunity to underline that Belgium’s vaccination schedule is based on robust scientific evidence and is adapted to the specific needs of the Belgian population. Recommendations are established through a thorough and systematic evaluation of the available scientific evidence.
The Executive Order signed in the United States on 10 August 2026 proposes, among other measures, administering the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) components separately and extending the intervals between routine childhood vaccinations. However, decades of scientific evidence provide no indication that separating these components offers any health benefit. On the contrary, combination vaccines support timely and complete immunisation, help reduce practical barriers to vaccination and are recommended by organisations including the WHO, the EMA and leading scientific bodies. Their safety and effectiveness are supported by extensive evidence, while large, high-quality studies have consistently found no link between MMR vaccination and autism.
In this context, clear, consistent and evidence-based communication remains essential for healthcare professionals, public health institutions and the wider population. The FAMHP, together with leading Belgian experts in vaccinology, has therefore co-signed a joint statement reaffirming its confidence in Belgium’s current evidence-based vaccination recommendations.
This joint position underlines the continued commitment to protecting public health and to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for the vaccines used in Belgium.
This joint statement was published in the Belgian newspaper (Dutch): De Morgen
