2 hours ago
by MARIA TEDESCO | The National News Desk
Mon, March 16, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seen following President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
WASHINGTON (TNND) — A federal judge on Monday blocked health officials from changing the number of vaccines recommended for every child. The new vaccine policy had reduced immunization requirements.
The judge ruled that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures when he reshuffled the advisory panel responsible for vaccine recommendations. The panel had ended recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain forms of meningitis, and RSV.
In addition to temporarily blocking the Kennedy-appointed board's recommendations, the judge's decision halted a meeting of the advisory committee that was scheduled to take place this week in Atlanta.
Federal health officials announced plans to appeal the ruling.
“HHS looks forward to this judge’s decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing,” said Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon.
All appointments and decisions made by the committee are on hold until a summary judgment or trial occurs following the judge's temporary block.
The case originated from a lawsuit filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics last July in a federal court in Boston. The lawsuit initially focused on recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine for children and pregnant women and was updated as Kennedy continued to alter vaccine requirements.
Several medical groups have advised continuing to follow the vaccine guidance that was in place before the Kennedy-appointed panel made changes. Health officials in 30 states have rejected at least some of the new recommendations.
“If anyone has any questions about what’s the appropriate vaccine schedule for their children, the best thing to do is to talk to their pediatricians,” said Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
