U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled on March 16, 2026, blocking Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes to childhood vaccine policies, including reducing routine vaccinations from 17 to 11 and downgrading recommendations for diseases like rotavirus, influenza, and hepatitis A.123
The judge invalidated the appointments of Kennedy's 13 appointees to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), ruling it was not lawfully constituted under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.123
Murphy halted ACIP votes and a government memo enacting the new schedule, citing disregard for scientific methods and procedural requirements.13
The ruling, siding with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups, postponed an ACIP meeting scheduled for March 18-19, 2026.123
HHS plans to appeal, calling it an overreach by the judge, a Biden appointee who has blocked other Trump initiatives.23
Sources:
1. https://thedailyrecord.com/2026/03/16/federal-judge-blocks-rfk-jr-vaccine-policy-changes/
2. https://laist.com/brief/news/health/federal-judge-halts-rfk-jr-changes-to-childrens-vaccine-policies
3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-blocks-parts-of-rfk-jrs-vaccine-agenda-including-new-childhood-vaccine-schedule/