CHD to Appeal Rulings After Court Blocks U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes
Children’s Health Defense (CHD) will appeal two federal court rulings issued days after a judge blocked changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule — a decision that freezes federal policy while excluding families and physicians most directly affected.
The rulings halted reforms to the schedule, reinstated prior recommendations and prevented federal vaccine advisers from meeting — leaving U.S. vaccine policy in a state of legal and regulatory limbo.
CHD will challenge both the preliminary injunction and the court’s denial of its motion to intervene.
Appeal Targets Injunction — and Exclusion of Key Voices
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over recent policy changes.
In February, CHD — joined by physicians and parents of children who died following vaccine injuries — filed an emergency motion to intervene, arguing the court should hear from those directly impacted.
The court denied that request.
Less than two weeks later, the judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the policy changes and halting activity of the federal advisory committee responsible for vaccine recommendations.
CHD now plans to appeal both decisions — arguing the court shut out critical testimony while simultaneously reshaping national policy.
CHD: “Voices Must Be Heard”
CHD General Counsel Kim Mack Rosenberg said the organization “continues to fight for the voices to be heard of those most impacted by the decisions made in this case.”
Attorney Rick Jaffe said CHD will file an emergency motion seeking expedited review and relief pending appeal.
Policy Frozen — Advisory System Sidelined
The injunction also barred meetings of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At the same time, the ruling ties federal vaccine policy to that same advisory body.
No meetings. No recommendations. No forward movement.
The result is a system in which:
- Policy changes are blocked
- Advisory input is suspended
- Future decisions remain uncertain
CHD argues the ruling conflicts with federal law governing advisory committees, which are intended to advise — not control — policy.
Background: Schedule Changes Halted
As previously reported by CHD Canada, the case centers on changes announced earlier this year to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. Those changes included reducing the number of routinely recommended vaccines and restructuring the federal advisory system. The court ruled the process used to implement those changes was likely unlawful and granted the injunction while the case proceeds.
Broader Implications
The case raises a fundamental question:
Who controls vaccine policy — elected officials, advisory committees, or the courts?
It also underscores growing tensions between public health institutions and calls for greater transparency, accountability and informed consent.
What Comes Next
CHD said it will seek expedited consideration of its appeal and expects the case could move quickly through higher courts.
Until then, the injunction remains in place
Read the full article from CHD’s The Defender HERE:
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