Six prominent medical organizations have asked a federal court to reverse recent HHS changes to the CDC childhood vaccine schedule and to block a planned ACIP meeting. The revisions narrow universal recommendations for meningococcal and hepatitis A and B vaccines and move flu, COVID-19 and rotavirus shots to "shared clinical decision-making." The groups want the schedule restored to its April 15, 2025 form and are challenging the credentials and evidence behind ACIP appointees; a hearing on a preliminary injunction is set for February 13.
Major Medical Associations Ask Court To Block CDC Vaccine Schedule Changes
Several prominent medical groups are seeking to have the CDC's new vaccine recommendations reversed. - Brynn Anderson/AP/File
Six leading medical organizations said they will ask a federal court to undo recent revisions to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) childhood vaccine guidance, and to halt an upcoming meeting of the CDC's independent vaccine advisory committee.
Who is involved: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced Wednesday that it is joining the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the legal action.
What changed: Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published revisions that narrow universal recommendations for meningococcal vaccines and for hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccines, limiting those recommendations to people identified as being at higher risk. The updated guidance also shifts influenza, COVID-19, and rotavirus immunizations to a model of "shared clinical decision-making," meaning individuals who want these vaccines are advised to consult with a health-care provider. HHS said insurers will continue to cover the vaccines.
How the process differed: Historically, changes to federal vaccine guidance were informed by new scientific evidence presented to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the CDC's independent vaccine advisory committee. The medical groups say the most recent revisions were not supported by new safety or efficacy data presented to ACIP; instead, the changes followed an order from President Donald Trump directing HHS to review the U.S. childhood immunization schedule alongside those of other developed nations. The resulting U.S. schedule now resembles Denmark's timetable.
“Children’s health depends on vaccine recommendations based on rigorous, transparent science,” said AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine. “Recent decisions by federal officials have departed from this standard, creating confusion for families, limiting access to lifesaving vaccines and weakening community protection.”
Legal requests: The groups asked a federal judge for two preliminary remedies: first, to restore the childhood vaccine schedule to how it stood on April 15, 2025 (before the HHS changes under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.); and second, to block ACIP from meeting at the end of February. They contend the panel is relying on "spurious evidence" and that several appointees lack the required experience and credentials.
Appointments and controversy: Secretary Kennedy removed all previous ACIP members last year and replaced them with his own appointees. He also removed the CDC director, who typically signs off on agency vaccine guidance. Kennedy has continued to add members: on Tuesday he appointed Dr. Kimberly Biss, an obstetrician-gynecologist who has described herself as "anti-vaccine," and Dr. Adam Urato, another ob/gyn who has written on social media that "the science is not 'long-settled' regarding vaccines."
When the reconstituted ACIP met last year, it voted to weaken the recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination of newborns and to stop recommending certain flu vaccines that contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has been falsely linked to autism. The committee has said it will continue reassessing even long-established vaccine data.
Broader litigation: The actions announced Wednesday relate to a larger lawsuit against HHS challenging ACIP's reorganization and changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. HHS moved to dismiss that suit, but U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy denied the department's request last week. A hearing on the medical groups' request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for February 13.
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