US Vaccine Policy faces legal challenges and shifting guidance as ACIP meeting nears

Federal and state legal actions have accelerated after recent changes to the federal vaccine schedule; the American Academy of Pediatrics has asked a court for a preliminary injunction that could affect the ACIP meeting set for Feb. 25–26.

Federal and state actions are reshaping US vaccine policy as court filings and agency moves pile up. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups are contesting recent changes to the federal immunization schedule in federal court. The case has been amended several times and now raises challenges to multiple schedule decisions and the reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. States and attorneys general are also preparing or coordinating separate legal responses. Key developments: - The AAP filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block new childhood vaccine schedule changes and to pause the Feb. 25–26 ACIP meeting. - The lawsuit has been amended multiple times to challenge removals of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and the replacement of ACIP members. - California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced his office is preparing a suit and Connecticut has signaled coordination, indicating possible multistate action. - Children’s Health Defense has filed a separate federal civil RICO lawsuit against the AAP and moved to intervene in AAP v. Kennedy. - The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released guidance reaffirming vaccination during pregnancy and noting that changing recommendations are creating confusion. - Dozens of CDC data systems have gone offline, and Brown University’s Pandemic Center is publishing tracking reports to help fill information gaps. Summary: These legal and administrative developments are affecting federal guidance and state-level debates about school and clinical vaccine requirements. A court decision on the AAP’s injunction request could arrive before the scheduled ACIP meeting, and additional state and organizational actions remain pending. Undetermined at this time.