WASHINGTON — Six prominent medical organizations filed a legal challenge today, Jan. 15, seeking to block recent changes to the national childhood vaccination schedule. The groups, which include the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, are asking a federal court for a temporary order to stop the new federal guidelines from being implemented.

The legal action is part of a larger ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Last week, federal Judge Brian Murphy refused the government’s request to drop the case.

Changes to Vaccine Recommendations

The medical groups argue that the new federal standards ignore rigorous science and create risks for community health. The dispute involves significant shifts in how several vaccines are recommended to the public.

In January, the HHS narrowed its recommendations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal disease—a common cause of meningitis. Instead of recommending these shots for all children, the agency now only recommends them for those at higher risk.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the rules for flu, Covid-19, and rotavirus vaccines. Under a new "shared decision" model, families must talk with a doctor or healthcare professional before they can get these shots. The lawsuit asks the court to return to the vaccine schedule used on April 15, 2025.

Advisory Panel Overhaul

These policy changes follow a move by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to replace every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This independent panel advises the CDC on vaccine safety and effectiveness.

On Jan. 13, the department appointed two more members to the panel: Dr. Kimberly Biss and Dr. Adam Urato. Both are obstetricians, which are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth.

The medical associations are also trying to block a scheduled meeting of the advisory panel in late February. They claim the current members lack the necessary credentials and rely on questionable evidence.

Looking Ahead

The shifts in federal policy come after President Donald Trump directed the health department to review the U.S. immunization timeline. The goal of the review is to compare American schedules with other industrialized countries, specifically Denmark.

Despite the recommendation changes, the HHS stated that insurance companies will still pay for the vaccines. This ensures families can still afford the shots if they decide to get them after consulting a doctor.

Judge Murphy has scheduled a hearing for Feb. 13, 2026, to consider the request for a temporary order against the health policies.

The other organizations involved in the legal challenge are the American College of Physicians, the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.