Federal Judge Rules HHS Changes to Vaccine Advisory Committee Likely Illegal

A federal judge ruled in March that the Health and Human Services secretary's January 2026 removal of six vaccines from routine recommendations and the reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices were likely unlawful. The decision restored most vaccine recommendations to their status before January 2025.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices develops recommendations for licensed vaccines in the United States. Its recommendations have guided providers, state governments, and federal programs including Vaccines for Children, Medicaid, and Medicare.

The Health and Human Services secretary replaced ACIP members and altered its processes. CDC scientific experts' participation in meetings was curtailed, and the FDA liaison representative was replaced by a political appointee. Meetings became venues for unsubstantiated claims about vaccine safety and efficacy.

Recommendations were issued contrary to assessments by federal scientists and medical organizations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and other groups sued the secretary and agency heads. The March ruling invalidated the secretary's vaccine removals, the current ACIP appointments, and all votes taken by the committee.

HHS has notified the court it will appeal the ruling. In April, the department replaced ACIP's charter with a version that broadens eligibility for membership beyond vaccine expertise. The revised charter adds liaison members from activist organizations and removes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

It also eliminates requirements for three annual meetings and publication of recommendations in the CDC journal MMWR.