TL/DR –
The article discusses an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on December 5, 2025, asking the U.S. to align its vaccine recommendations with those of countries with fewer vaccines, like Denmark, Japan, and Germany. It disputes the claim by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that too many vaccines weaken the immune system, stating that it is the number of immunological components in vaccines that counts, not the total number of vaccines. The article also refutes the claim that Denmark’s lower infant mortality and better health is due to fewer vaccines, attributing it instead to their better healthcare system, subsidized childcare, and smaller, more homogenous population.
Childhood Vaccine Recommendations in the US and Other Countries
On December 5, 2025, President Donald Trump, supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, issued an executive order suggesting the US reduce its number of recommended vaccines to align with countries like Denmark, Japan, and Germany. The question is, are fewer vaccines better?
Are US Children Over-Vaccinated?
Since 2015, Trump and RFK Jr. have argued that US children receive too many vaccines, believing that the quantity of vaccines can negatively impact the immune system. However, the pertinent issue isn’t the number of vaccines, but rather the number of immunological components in vaccines.
Vaccines and the Immune System
Comparatively, the two vaccines received by RFK Jr. and the author in the 1950s (smallpox and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP)) contained about 3,200 separate challenges to the immune system. With advances in technology, the 18 vaccines currently given to children contain only about 180 separate immunologic challenges, which is a lower challenge than previously.
Comparing Health Outcomes in Denmark and the US
Some argue that Denmark’s lower vaccine count results in better health outcomes. However, differences in healthcare systems, population size, and societal factors like childcare and poverty rates play a significant role. For instance, Denmark has a population of about 6 million and universal, tax-funded healthcare, while the US has a larger, more diverse population and a private, market-driven healthcare system.
The Importance of Vaccination
Despite Denmark’s excellent healthcare, it’s important to note that certain diseases like rotavirus, RSV, influenza, and Covid-19 will infect virtually all children by 10 years of age. For example, every year, approximately 1,200 children in Denmark are hospitalized due to severe dehydration caused by rotavirus infection, and more than 2,800 children are hospitalized with pneumonia caused by RSV. In comparison, the US has virtually eliminated 70,000 rotavirus-related hospitalizations yearly due to routine rotavirus vaccination.
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