Medical Groups Sue U.S. Health Secretary Over Covid-19 Vaccine Rollback
A coalition of prominent U.S. medical organizations has filed a lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of jeopardizing public health by unilaterally halting federal Covid-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. The legal challenge, brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), and other leading medical bodies, seeks to overturn Kennedy’s directive and reinstate the vaccine to national immunization schedules. The groups condemned Kennedy’s May announcement as “unscientific,” warning that it strips parents of the ability to protect their children. Since assuming office, Kennedy—long known for spreading vaccine misinformation—has overhauled vaccine policy, including firing the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appointing new members under his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Medical leaders voiced alarm over rising vaccine hesitancy, noting a breakdown in patient trust and citing a record-breaking measles outbreak in 2025—the worst in over three decades with 1,277 cases across 40 states. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, underscores deepening concerns among healthcare professionals about the long-term consequences of Kennedy’s actions. Federal health officials have yet to respond to the complaint.
