Judge Blocks RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Policy Changes

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suffered a significant setback as a federal judge blocked proposed changes to the childhood immunization schedule and the restructuring of a key vaccine advisory panel. The ruling, issued by Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy, invalidates votes made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since its reconstitution.

Judge Blocks Changes to Immunization Schedule and Advisory Panel

Judge Murphy’s decision greenlit a motion from the American Academy of Pediatrics, halting HHS’s reduced childhood immunization schedule and changes to the ACIP. The judge found that the ACIP’s reconstitution failed to comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and that the CDC’s bypassing of the ACIP for schedule changes constituted both a “technical, procedural failure” and an “abandonment of the technical knowledge and expertise embodied by that committee.”

The ruling specifically referenced a January 2026 memo, which the judge deemed “contrary to law” and “arbitrary and capricious” for abandoning the agency’s established practice of seeking ACIP recommendations without sufficient explanation. This decision invalidates committee votes made after the reconstitution, impacting policies like the removal of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and the delay of the MMRV vaccine.

Controversy Surrounding Kennedy’s Vaccine Skepticism

Controversy has surrounded Kennedy’s actions since his confirmation in 2025. In June, he dismissed all 17 sitting ACIP members, citing a need to “re-establish public confidence in vaccine science” and subsequently appointed new members perceived as vaccine skeptics. These new appointees voted against recommending the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, proposed delaying the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, and suggested making the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation optional for individuals six months and older, emphasizing “individual-based decision making.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) celebrated the ruling on X, calling it “a win for science and medicine and a loss for Trump and RFK Jr.” He further stated, “Vaccines are safe and effective lifesaving tools. RFK Jr. is a stain on public health, and I’m glad the courts ruled against his anti-vaccine madness.” The increase in measles cases in some states, like South Carolina, has been cited as evidence of the public health crisis potentially exacerbated by vaccine skepticism.

• A federal judge blocked changes to the childhood immunization schedule and ACIP restructuring proposed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• The ruling cited failures to comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and bypassing expert recommendations.
• Kennedy had previously dismissed ACIP members and appointed new ones perceived as vaccine skeptics.
• The new ACIP members voted against recommending certain vaccines, including the birth dose of hepatitis B.
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the ruling as a victory for science and medicine.