A coalition of 15 states has filed a lawsuit against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his administration's overhaul of federal childhood vaccine recommendations. The multistate lawsuit, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, alleges that Kennedy and other Trump administration officials have waged an "unprecedented attack on the nation's evidence-based childhood immunization schedule."

In January, the CDC removed seven childhood vaccines from its list of routinely recommended shots, including those protecting against rotavirus, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus. The lawsuit claims this change was made without proper scientific justification and will leave millions of Americans without access to critical preventive care, particularly those lacking regular healthcare providers.

The suit specifically challenges Kennedy's firing of 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and their replacement with individuals described as "unqualified ideologues" whose views align with Kennedy's long-standing vaccine skepticism. Kennedy defended the move in June, stating it was meant to "prioritize the restoration of public trust" rather than promote any anti-vaccine agenda.