The California Medical Association (CMA) is closely following a new federal lawsuit filed against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who in May issued a directive ending federal recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children and pregnant people—a move widely condemned by the medical and scientific communities.

The lawsuit, brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics and joined by several prominent public health and medical organizations, asserts that Kennedy acted unlawfully by bypassing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its independent vaccine advisory body, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The plaintiffs argue that Kennedy’s decision disregards the established regulatory framework Congress created for making national vaccine policy, and that his directive is not supported by any new clinical evidence or public health rationale.

“The Secretarial Directive is contrary to the wealth of data and peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines for children and pregnant women,” the lawsuit states. It also notes that Kennedy’s action puts physicians in the untenable position of contradicting the country’s top health official when counseling patients—further eroding trust in the medical system.

Kennedy announced the change in a social media video where he claimed the vaccines offered no proven benefit to healthy children or pregnant individuals—a statement contradicted by global research and the consensus of mainstream medical experts.

While the CDC did not formally remove the vaccine from its immunization schedule, it downgraded its guidance to “shared decision-making,” creating confusion for both providers and patients. The lawsuit argues this shift has made it harder for clinicians to provide clear recommendations and for practices to navigate insurance coverage and school-entry requirements.

CMA strongly opposes the agency's efforts to dismantle vaccine guidance.

“Physicians rely on science to guide patient care. Undermining vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant individuals puts lives at risk,” said CMA President Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D. “By removing strong federal guidance, this directive could disincentivize the production of COVID vaccines and lead to decreased vaccine access for those who wish to protect themselves and their children from COVID-19 and potential complications.”

CMA stands firmly with the physician community in defending sound, evidence-based health care policy.