Judge Blocks CDC Childhood Vaccine Changes Made by RFK Jr. Panel Picks

"A federal judge has placed a temporary injunction on new vaccine rules for children established earlier this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), finding that the panel that had recommended them to the agency was improperly appointed by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr."

"In December, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on recommending changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of vaccines from 17 to 11. Vaccines removed from those previously recommended included hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)."

"ACIP made those changes just half a year after Kennedy disbanded the previous iteration of the board, and filled its vacancies with individuals who shared many of his anti-vaccine views. In January, the CDC formally adopted the new recommendations."

A federal judge issued a temporary injunction against new vaccine rules for children established by the CDC in 2025. The judge found that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which recommended the changes, was improperly appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The order vacates previous panel decisions and suspends several members due to insufficient qualifications. In December, ACIP voted to reduce childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, removing recommendations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza, and RSV, while reducing HPV vaccine doses. Kennedy had disbanded the previous board and filled vacancies with individuals sharing anti-vaccine views. The CDC formally adopted these recommendations in January. Trump administration officials justified the changes by claiming alignment with European vaccine schedules, but health experts, including some from Europe, argue this approach contradicts scientific methodology.

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