Federal Judge Blocks Revised CDC Child Vaccine Schedule: What We Know So Far

On Monday, Federal District Judge Brian Murphy issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the Trump administration’s pared-down list of recommended childhood vaccinations. Judge Murphy also found that new appointments made to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were made improperly by the administration. ACIP makes vaccine recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control. The injunction also blocked votes taken by the reconstituted ACIP from taking effect. You can read the order and opinion here.

Judge Murphy, sitting in Massachusetts, issued the injunction in a case brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), physicians, and several healthcare-related organizations against Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and HHS. AAP brought the suit challenging the new administration’s reconstitution of ACIP, the paring-down of the childhood vaccination schedule and several votes taken by ACIP, among other matters.

In granting the injunction, Judge Murphy found that the vaccination schedule had not been revised in accordance with the procedures required by federal law. Also, that the revision had been accomplished in an arbitrary and capricious manner. Judge Murphy also determined that the new appointments to ACIP had not occurred in accordance with federal law, in part because he determined the makeup of the ACIP lacked the required philosophical balance.

The injunction stays implementation of the pared-down vaccination schedule, stays appointment of 13 ACIP members from 2025 and 2026, and stays the results of votes taken by the reconstituted ACIP. As a result, the childhood vaccination schedule in effect prior to the January 2026 change continues in effect.

HHS has indicated its intention to appeal the granting of the injunction to the U.S. Court of Appeals. That court may uphold the injunction while the case advances, modify the injunction, or vacate the injunction.