In a major push to protect public health, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and several leading medical groups have filed a lawsuit challenging recent federal changes to COVID-19 vaccination guidance.
The legal action, filed on July 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that these changes pose a “grave and immediate risk” to Americans—especially children and pregnant individuals.
This lawsuit comes in response to controversial actions taken by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently announced that COVID-19 vaccines would no longer be part of the federal immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant people.
The APHA and its partners say the decision not only undermines public health but also goes against scientific consensus and federal law.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed
The federal immunization schedule is a trusted resource that guides doctors, parents, and schools on recommended vaccines. By removing COVID-19 vaccines from this list for key populations, the government is downplaying the importance of vaccination—a move that could lead to higher infection rates and preventable deaths.
Key concerns raised in the lawsuit include:
- Children and pregnant people face increased risks without strong vaccine recommendations.
- The decision was made without following standard scientific and regulatory procedures.
- The guidance encourages “shared decision-making,” which critics say is vague and confusing, especially for families who rely on clear health advice.
- Replacing the CDC’s entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with Kennedy’s personal appointees—some of whom have anti-vaccine views—further weakens the country’s public health infrastructure.
The Dangers of Downplaying COVID-19 Vaccines
The updated CDC guidance now says children aged 6 months to 17 years “may receive” a COVID-19 vaccine based on shared decisions between parents and doctors, instead of a clear recommendation.
Public health leaders argue this weakens vaccine confidence and leaves children vulnerable to a disease that is still circulating.
Pregnant individuals are also at greater risk. COVID-19 during pregnancy can cause:
- Preeclampsia
- Preterm birth
- Stillbirth
- Severe illness and complications for both the mother and the baby
The lawsuit highlights that vaccination during pregnancy is safe and offers critical protection for both mother and child.
Wider Concerns About Anti-Vaccine Leadership
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a long-time critic of vaccines, with a history of promoting misinformation and conspiracy theories. Since his appointment, he has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with individuals who lack public health expertise or hold anti-vaccine views.
This, according to APHA, represents a deliberate effort to push anti-science narratives and weaken the public’s trust in government health recommendations.
Who Else Is Involved in the Lawsuit?
Along with APHA, other major healthcare groups have joined the case, including:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
- Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA)
These organisations represent thousands of public health professionals, scientists, and medical experts who are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of these policy shifts.
A Pattern of Harmful Policy Changes
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal push by APHA and allies to block or reverse public health rollbacks by the Trump administration. Recent actions include:
- Winning a case in June that overturned the administration’s cancellation of hundreds of NIH research grants.
- Securing a restraining order to stop the reorganisation of federal agencies, although a Supreme Court emergency stay is allowing some changes to move forward while the case continues.
The decision to scale back COVID-19 vaccination recommendations comes at a time when public health is already under pressure. APHA’s lawsuit makes it clear: these policy changes are not just bureaucratic decisions—they affect real lives.
Vaccination remains a powerful tool in preventing disease, and weakening national guidance threatens the health of millions, especially children and pregnant people.
This legal challenge is not only about COVID-19—it’s about protecting science, trust, and the future of public health in America.
