The beginning of a new school year means back-to-school shopping, setting your alarm for an earlier wake-up and, possibly, making an appointment for your kids’ required vaccines.

But with the executive order President Donald Trump signed on Aug. 10 that recommends spreading out some vaccines typically given as a single dose, parents may be confused.

We asked an expert — Dr. Catherine Ohmstede, a pediatrician and children’s clinical physician executive for the Charlotte region at Novant Health Women's & Children's Institute in Charlotte — about vaccine safety and what parents should know.

Let’s start with the most basic questions: How do vaccines work? And are vaccines safe?

Vaccines teach a child’s immune system to recognize diseases before they’re infected with them so that, if they are exposed to those diseases, their immune system knows what to do to fight off the illness before it becomes a danger to the child.

Vaccine safety has been studied extensively, and safety and effectiveness are closely monitored. Vaccines undergo extensive testing and continuous monitoring. And getting recommended vaccines together is standard practice that protects children from diseases that can be very harmful if they are unvaccinated.

What should parents know about the timing of vaccines and when specific ones are given?

The timing of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2026 vaccine recommendations are all based on many decades of experience giving vaccines to children and by close observation of trends of illnesses and diseases in children over time. And they’re endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecology and the American College of Physicians.

The executive order says it supports “maximal parental choice over childhood vaccines.” Are there any concerns you’d raise for parents who choose a different vaccine schedule than the one endorsed by all the medical academies you named?

The biggest concern is that it leaves children vulnerable for a longer period before they’re protected against an illness. So, if they were exposed to that illness before they become vaccinated, they’re at risk for getting very, very sick or having a tragic outcome.

In addition to that, there’s more discomfort for the child and more anxiety for both the child and the family to make repeated trips to the pediatrician just to get shots.

Why are some vaccines, like the one for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) grouped into single shots?

Single-shot vaccines reduce the number of injections a child receives and the number of doctor visits parents have to make with their children.

The MMR is administered in two doses, with the first given between 12-15 months of age and the second given between 4-6 years of age, before a child enters kindergarten.

As physicians, our goal is to protect children in the safest and most effective way possible, and that frequently involves combining shots.

The executive order recommends the MMR vaccine be administered in three separate single-dose shots. What do parents need to know?

The MMR vaccine has been used for decades and has a very strong safety and effectiveness record.

Currently, there are no FDA-approved, commercially available individual measles, mumps and rubella vaccines in the United States. The MMR vaccine has been universally recommended by the CDC since 1971. Since that vaccine has been used safely and effectively for so many decades, the individual vaccines are no longer made.

Plus, there’s no published evidence showing that separate measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are safer than the combined MMR vaccine.

What about claims that link the number and timing of vaccines to autism?

We have a tremendous amount of data, both from the United States and worldwide, that indicate there is no link between vaccines and autism.

The new recommendations from the executive order are not based on any new safety data or any new evidence. There hasn't been anything new to indicate a reason to split vaccines.

Do you know if insurance coverage will change as a result of the executive order?

I don’t expect it will change in the foreseeable future.

What are the most important things for parents, who may be confused by the new executive order, to know?

I would tell parents to turn to a trusted pediatrician. We welcome questions. Our job is to help families understand the evidence and make decisions that help keep children healthy and protected.

I would also tell them that vaccinations remain available and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The North Carolina public school requirements haven’t changed. So, the vaccines needed for school — for example, the meningitis vaccine prior to entering seventh or 12th grade — are still required by the state.

We encourage parents to ask questions and discuss concerns so we can support them and their families in the best way possible. Novant Health pediatricians will continue to follow evidence-based guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and have individual conversations with families as part of shared decision-making.