American Academy of Pediatrics and others sue the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine changes
An anonymous physician is suing Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) because recent unilateral changes to vaccine protocols have blocked her from accessing the Covid-19 vaccine booster. The physician’s work at a hospital puts her at high risk for infectious disease exposure.
Six professional medical organizations have signed on to the lawsuit: the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
“We will not stand by while a single federal official unilaterally and effectively strips Americans of their choice to vaccinate with actions that thoroughly disregard overwhelming scientific evidence and decades of established federal processes,” Tina Tan, MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said in a statement. “As a community of clinicians, public health officials, and scientists, our focus remains the protection of patients and public health.”
The plaintiffs allege that Secretary Kennedy unjustly dismissed 17 members of the immunization advisory committee, ACIP, and then replaced them with anti-vaccine appointees. They call the change in recommendations unlawful.
“This administration is an existential threat to vaccination in America, and those in charge are only just getting started. If left unchecked, Secretary Kennedy will accomplish his goal of ridding the United States of vaccines, which would unleash a wave of preventable harm on our nation’s children,” said Richard H. Hughes IV, partner at Epstein Becker Green and lead counsel for the plaintiffs, in a press release.
The lawsuit claims that HHS’s and Secretary Kennedy’s actions are misleading the public and normalizing anti-vaccine and anti-science language. These actions build upon what has already happened during the new administration’s time in office: blocking communications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Canceling vaccine panel meetings.
“These decisions are founded in fear and not evidence, and will make our children and communities more vulnerable to infectious diseases like measles, whooping cough, and influenza,” Susan J. Kressly, MD, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a statement.
Organizations involved in the lawsuit urge people to follow medical guidance from licensed providers. Additionally, the organizations’ websites (AAP, ACP, APHA, IDSA, and SMFM) offer evidence-based resources to help people make informed decisions grounded in science, not fear.
An award-winning journalist, Katie has written for Chicago Health since 2016 and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief.
