Medical groups' challenge to Kennedy-backed vaccine policies can proceed, U.S. judge rules

A federal judge in Boston allowed several major medical organizations to continue a lawsuit challenging vaccine policy changes made under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, finding the groups have legal standing; plaintiffs seek to void advisory committee votes taken since June.

Several major medical organizations can move forward with a lawsuit challenging vaccine policy changes implemented under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a federal judge in Boston ruled. The groups argue those changes will reduce vaccination rates and are seeking to void votes by a key vaccine advisory panel taken since June. The lawsuit notes that 17 independent advisory members were replaced in June and that the CDC later adopted narrower recommendations for COVID-19 shots. The plaintiffs named include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Key facts: - U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy rejected the government's argument that the medical groups lacked legal standing and allowed the case to proceed. - The lawsuit alleges Health Secretary Kennedy directed the CDC to remove recommendations for COVID-19 shots for pregnant women and children and reconstituted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June. - The reconstituted committee voted in September to recommend COVID-19 shots only through shared decision-making with a healthcare provider, and the CDC adopted that approach in October. - Plaintiffs indicated they plan to seek expedited relief ahead of the advisory panel's next meeting on February 25-26. Summary: The judge's ruling keeps the legal challenge active and allows the court to consider whether votes by the advisory committee since June should be set aside. Plaintiffs have said they will seek expedited relief before the committee meets on February 25-26, and the matter will proceed through the federal courts.