Fifteen states led by Democratic attorneys general have launched legal challenges against the Trump administration over recent changes to recommended childhood vaccination schedules, according to multiple reports.
The lawsuits, announced on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, contest a policy shift spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. That reduces the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children, limiting them instead to those considered particularly at risk. This move has drawn criticism from public health officials and Democratic leaders who argue it undermines established scientific consensus.
Specifically, the revised recommendations now apply to vaccines for influenza, hepatitis A and B, COVID-19, meningococcal diseases, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rotavirus. A separate group of roughly ten vaccines will continue to be universally recommended for children. Franceinfo reports that the decision has sparked concerns about potential public health consequences.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading the legal effort alongside Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, stated that the administration’s actions “bafoule des décennies de recherche scientifique, ignorent des experts médicaux crédibles et risquent de mettre à rude épreuve les ressources des États et de rendre les enfants américains plus malades,” as reported by Le Figaro. The legal complaints allege that the policy disregards decades of scientific research and credible medical expertise, potentially straining state resources and increasing childhood illness rates.
The legal challenges come amid ongoing debate about vaccine policy and public health measures in the United States. The administration’s move reflects a growing skepticism towards universal vaccination programs, a position championed by Secretary Kennedy Jr. This shift in policy is likely to have implications for healthcare providers, school systems, and public health agencies across the country, as they adjust to the novel guidelines. TV5 Monde provides further details on the legal proceedings.
The lawsuits seek to overturn the revised vaccination recommendations and restore the previous, more comprehensive schedule. The outcome of these legal battles could significantly impact public health policy and the future of childhood vaccination programs in the U.S.
