Federal Judge Blocks Changes to Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

Tue Mar 17 2026 00:43:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against changes to the childhood vaccination schedule in the U.S., citing potential violations of federal procedures by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

A federal judge has ruled against a directive from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that aimed to reduce vaccine recommendations for children, halting changes that medical experts believe could compromise protections against several diseases. The amended lawsuit from medical groups raises concerns about the impacts of these policy shifts, particularly regarding a vaccine advisory committee that Kennedy restructured. The decision has led to a postponement of an upcoming meeting for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked federal health officials from cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every child, stating that U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee.

The ruling halts an order by Kennedy—announced in January—to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain forms of meningitis, and RSV.

Leading medical groups expressed serious concerns that these proposed changes would undermine protections against several diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups amended a lawsuit they filed in July, urging the court to prevent the scaling back of the nation’s childhood vaccination schedule.

The original lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, focused on Kennedy’s decision to cease recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most children and pregnant women.

The suit was updated as Kennedy announced more alarming changes, prompting the plaintiffs to request Judge Brian E. Murphy to address those policy shifts. The amended complaint included concerns about Kennedy’s actions regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which guides public health officials on vaccine recommendations.

Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance prior to his role as health head, dismissed the entire 17-member panel last year and replaced it with individuals holding similar views.

Judge Murphy, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, indicated that Kennedy’s restructuring of ACIP likely contravened federal law, ordering all of its appointments and decisions to be put on hold.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon remarked that the department anticipates the judge’s decision will be overturned, just as previous attempts to hinder Trump administration policies were.

ACIP was scheduled to meet this week to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and other issues; that meeting is now delayed.

“ACIP as currently constituted cannot meet,” stated Richard Hughes IV, attorney for the AAP. “How can a committee meet without nearly the entirety of its membership?”

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