Trump administration appeals ruling that blocked RKF Jr.'s vaccine overhaul

Source: NBC News

April 29, 2026, 8:40 PM EDT / Updated April 29, 2026, 9:06 PM EDT


The Trump administration has appealed a Massachusetts federal judge’s ruling that blocked Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent overhaul of the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule.

A filing Wednesday evening in the District of Massachusetts indicates the administration is appealing Judge Brian Murphy’s order March 16. Murphy put any decisions made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee on hold, ruling that Kennedy replaced the committee “unlawfully.”. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate signed the appeal.

In January, Kennedy and the CDC made sweeping changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of recommended diseases to be vaccinated against from 18 to 11. The change dropped recommendations that all babies should be protected against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, RSV, dengue and two types of bacterial meningitis.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other medical groups sued the Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that the changes to the schedule and Kennedy’s overhaul of the CDC’s influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices violated federal law.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-administration-appeals-ruling-blocked-rkf-jrs-vaccine-overhaul-rcna342816