Chloe Ramirez
On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader, a fake news website, published an article claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. This claim was not true, as no other sources reported any such order being signed. However, this article brought attention to two genuine tweets by President Trump from before his presidency, expressing criticism of vaccinations. Since then, there have been instances of other executive orders related to vaccines, such as bans on vaccine mandates and vaccine passports, issued by state governors and a federal court blocking President Biden's contractor vaccine mandate.
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What You'll Learn
Fake news sites reported Trump's 90-day ban on childhood vaccines
On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader, a fake news website, published an article claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. The article, titled "Trump Signs Executive Order Issuing 90-Day Ban On Childhood Vaccinations", claimed that Trump had signed an executive order placing a temporary 90-day ban on all childhood MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. It further stated that pediatricians who administered MMR vaccinations to patients under 18 during this period would risk losing their medical licenses.
The article included screenshots of two genuine tweets critical of vaccinations posted by Trump years before his presidency. However, it was the only source reporting such an order, and it was later fact-checked and debunked by Snopes and other sources. The Houston Leader website is one of several fake news sites that mimic the appearance of legitimate news outlets, in this case, emulating the format of big-city newspapers.
While Trump had expressed concerns about vaccines prior to his election campaign, there was no follow-up in the form of an executive order on childhood vaccinations during his presidency. The article was a hoax, and no such executive order was ever issued by President Trump.
This incident highlights the importance of fact-checking and media literacy to prevent the spread of misinformation, especially on newsworthy and potentially controversial topics such as vaccine mandates.
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Trump's tweets about vaccines were legitimate
On 6 February 2017, the Houston Leader website published an article reporting that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. The article included screenshots of two genuine tweets critical of vaccinations posted by President Trump years before his presidential candidacy. Although the tweets were legitimate, the article's claim was not. No other sources reported that such an order was signed, and the website was identified as one of many fake news sites masquerading as real news.
Trump's tweets about vaccines reflect his administration's stance on vaccinations, which has been criticised for being motivated by personal profit rather than sincere populism. Trump's secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been a longtime anti-vaccine activist. Kennedy has earned money from helming a non-profit dedicated to fostering vaccine skepticism and has a financial stake in ongoing litigation against a vaccine manufacturer. He has also fired the entire CDC vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with individuals with questionable credentials, and cancelled $500 million of federal funding for mRNA vaccines.
Trump's actions and appointments, such as installing Kennedy, have contributed to declining vaccination rates and the spread of measles in the United States. Internationally, his budget cuts have had devastating consequences, including the dismantling of USAID, which had successfully prevented contagious diseases and vaccinated millions of children against fatal illnesses. Researchers estimate that 300,000 people have died due to these cuts, with potential future consequences of 14 million preventable deaths.
Despite the negative impact of Trump's actions and rhetoric on vaccination rates, his administration did oversee the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine through Operation Warp Speed. This effort resulted in a safe and highly effective vaccine in less than a year, significantly reducing deaths and the burden on the healthcare system.
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Biden denied an embargo on exports of vaccine raw materials
There were reports of a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order by President Trump in 2017. However, this was deemed fake news by Snopes, a fact-checking website.
In 2021, the Biden administration denied imposing any "outright bans" on the export of raw materials required for COVID-19 vaccine production. This was in response to Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla's request to US President Joe Biden to lift the embargo. Poonawalla stated that the restriction was "'as good as banning vaccines", as the US was a major supplier of raw materials, and the Defense Production Act had caused shortages. The Biden administration, however, asserted that there was no export ban and that their priority was saving lives and ending the pandemic.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), urged US President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on raw materials needed for COVID-19 vaccine production. SII manufactures Covishield, a version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and faced production challenges due to raw material shortages. Poonawalla argued that the US's implementation of the Defense Act hindered the ability of vaccine manufacturers to obtain raw materials. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that it would take time to develop new suppliers.
The Biden administration denied imposing any outright bans on the export of raw materials. An official statement emphasized that their top priority was saving lives and ending the pandemic. They asserted that the United States had not imposed any bans on the export of vaccines or vaccine inputs. However, the administration's priority for domestic demand resulted in the nixing of exports to India and other states facing dire need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, stated that the US was first and foremost engaged in an ambitious and successful effort to vaccinate its citizens.
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Arizona Gov. Ducey banned vaccine mandates for government employees
In August 2021, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order banning cities and counties from enforcing vaccine mandates for their employees. This came just days after Tucson voted to require its workers to get vaccinated. The governor's order took immediate effect and stated that any violation could result in a Class 3 misdemeanor, with possible penalties of up to one month in prison or a $500 fine.
Ducey's executive order reinforced a statewide ban on vaccine mandates for government employees in Arizona. While Ducey acknowledged that vaccinations are "safe and effective," he emphasized that getting vaccinated is a personal choice. He stated, "We will not allow discrimination based on vaccination status. Today's order builds on our efforts to protect Arizonans from excessive mandates that hinder their freedom to choose what's best for their health."
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero objected to Ducey's order, calling it “legally meaningless." She argued that Tucson has the authority to implement protocols that protect the public and criticized Ducey for prioritizing his political aspirations over the health and well-being of Arizonans. Romero highlighted the high compliance rate among city employees, stating that 99% had complied with the vaccine mandate or received an approved extension.
Prior to this executive order, Ducey had already taken a stance against vaccine mandates. He had declared a ban against vaccine passports for residents to receive services or enter certain premises, and he had also prohibited vaccine mandates for students. Ducey's actions reflect a broader debate in the United States regarding the role of government in mandating vaccinations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Florida Gov. DeSantis banned 'vaccine passports'
In 2017, a fake news article was published by the Houston Leader website, claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. However, this claim was false, as no such order was signed, and the website was identified as one of many fake news sites masquerading as legitimate news outlets.
Now, regarding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' ban on vaccine passports, the governor signed legislation in May 2021 to prohibit state and local governments, as well as private businesses, from requiring customers or patrons to provide documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery. The law, which took effect on July 1, 2021, aimed to protect the personal choice of Floridians regarding vaccinations and prevent discrimination based on private health information.
Governor DeSantis justified his decision by stating that it protected the rights of individuals to participate in society, regardless of their vaccination status. He also argued that businesses and governments should not restrict access based on vaccination status, as it implies a lack of trust in the vaccines, data, and science. Additionally, the legislation included provisions to enhance emergency preparedness and address arbitrary lockdowns.
However, the ban on vaccine passports faced legal challenges. In August 2021, a United States district court ruled against Governor DeSantis, allowing Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) to mandate vaccination proof for travellers. The court argued that the ban could put public lives at risk and infringe upon the cruise line's rights. DeSantis' administration disagreed with the ruling and stated its intention to appeal the decision.
The context surrounding the ban on vaccine passports in Florida is complex and dynamic. While Governor DeSantis emphasized individual freedoms and choices, public health concerns and legal rulings have also played a significant role in shaping the outcome. It is important to stay informed about the latest developments and guidelines related to vaccine requirements in your specific location.
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Frequently asked questions
No, although there were reports of President Trump signing an executive order banning childhood vaccinations for 90 days, this was deemed to be fake news.
No, the Biden administration denied that there was an 'outright ban' on the export of vaccine raw materials.
Yes, governors in Arizona, Florida and Texas have issued executive orders banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
