Court Rejects HHS Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit Over US Childhood Vaccine Overhaul as Clinician Groups Push Forward
On January 5, 2026, HHS announced a major overhaul of the US childhood immunization schedule, reducing universal recommendations from 17 to 11 vaccines, modeled after Denmark's schedule, with others shifted to high-risk or shared decision-making categories.
On January 6, 2026, the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts rejected HHS's motion to dismiss a lawsuit by medical groups led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), affirming their standing to challenge COVID-19 vaccine rescissions and ACIP reconstitution.
Plaintiffs, including AAP and American Public Health Association, argue the changes bypass scientific processes, violate the Administrative Procedures Act, and risk increased preventable diseases.
Experts from AAP, IDSA, and others warn the overhaul will confuse clinicians and families, potentially leading to more infections and hospitalizations.
The changes follow a presidential directive and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to reduce vaccines, amid ongoing lawsuits claiming arbitrary actions divorced from evidence.