Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican and medical doctor, blasted President Donald Trump on Monday over his recent executive order that separated the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three different shots.

The president signed the executive order earlier Monday, which also recommends administering the separate shots across different visits, and directs the nation’s health department to improve vaccine research. He did not specify how far apart the visits should be.

Cassidy claimed that the president does not possess the expertise to make the changes outlined in the order, and that vaccines "do not cause autism." 

"I’m a doctor. This executive order is wrong," Cassidy wrote on X. "The President does not have the expertise to make these changes. Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines do not cause autism. 

"Breaking up vaccines will mean children have to get more shots to get the same protection, not fewer shots," he continued. "It will increase hesitancy and make children less safe. Parents should listen to their child’s pediatrician about vaccines rather than listening to an inaccurate executive order. This is so wrong."

The comment is not the first time Cassidy has opposed the Trump administration. The senator grew frustrated over the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently, but he later helped confirm her.

Cassidy's biggest grievance against Schwartz was her inability to respond adequately when asked if she could protect the agency from political meddling and push back if Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asked her to take action that was not supported by scientific evidence.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.