Medical Groups Sue to Restore Evidence-Based Childhood Vaccine Schedule

In a significant escalation of the conflict between medical experts and federal health officials, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and several prominent medical organizations have filed for a federal injunction to block recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule. The legal action seeks to stop the scheduled February 25–26 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and vacate decisions made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 5, 2026.

The controversy stems from a CDC announcement that narrowed recommendations for several vaccines, including hepatitis A, rotavirus, flu, and meningococcal disease, moving them from "routinely recommended" to "shared clinical decision-making". Under these new guidelines, the number of diseases covered by the routine schedule has been slashed from 17 to 10. AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine stated that these changes abandoned the standard of rigorous, transparent science, causing unnecessary confusion and compromising access to lifesaving care.

The lawsuit, which includes co-plaintiffs such as the American Public Health Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, argues that the Trump administration acted "arbitrarily and capriciously". Plaintiffs allege that the new ACIP appointees, selected by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., lack the required credentials and experience, with some members having previously espoused anti-vaccine viewpoints. Notably, the changes were reportedly made without ACIP input, following a presidential memorandum to align the U.S. schedule with those of other nations like Denmark.

As the legal battle heads to a hearing on February 13, the impact is already being felt at the state level. At least 17 states, including California, New York, and Illinois, have announced they will follow AAP evidence-based guidance rather than the new CDC recommendations. The medical groups are asking the court to restore the immunization schedule to its April 15, 2025, status to protect community health and maintain public trust in the vaccination process.

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🔖 Sources

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Keywords: Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Childhood Vaccine Schedule

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