Mar 17, 2026, 11:23 amMar 17, 2026, 11:23 am
A US court has temporarily put a stop to Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy’s comprehensive change of course on child vaccinations. On Monday (local time), the federal court in Massachusetts overturned an order from the US government from January.
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy.Image: keystone
In this requirement, only 11 instead of 17 immunizations for children were recommended. The court also blocked Kennedy’s replacement of the vaccination expert committee ACIP and its recommendations issued since then.
In the past, such decisions have been made using “methods of a scientific nature that are codified by procedural rules in law,” Judge Brian Murphy wrote in his opinion. “Unfortunately, the government has disregarded these methods and thereby undermined the integrity of its actions.” Medical associations that had massively criticized the planned changes to vaccination recommendations had sued.
A spokesman for the US Department of Health said, according to ABC News, that it was hoped that the court decision would be overturned. At the same time, he criticized the judge and accused him of preventing the government from doing its work.
Vaccine skeptics at the lever of power
According to the change initiated by US President Donald Trump in January, vaccinations against rotavirus, corona, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococci should no longer be part of the immunization plan for children recommended by the Ministry of Health. However, the vaccinations will continue to be administered. The new guidelines also stipulated that various vaccinations, such as against hepatitis A or dengue, should be limited to high-risk groups.
Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has been pushing for changes in vaccination policy since he took office in Trump’s second term. The responsible authority CDC and thus also its expert committee ACIP are subordinate to his ministry. In June 2025, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the board, citing possible conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry. 13 new members were then appointed who issued the recommendations in line with Kennedy’s wishes.
The nephew of the former US President John F. Kennedy has often cast doubts about vaccinations and spread conspiracy theories. Among other things, he has advocated the scientifically disproven theory that vaccinations could cause autism. (dab/sda/dpa)