On March 16, 2026, a federal judge temporarily blocked the federal government from implementing a pared-back set of routine childhood vaccine recommendations. ([abcnews.com](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-us-government-slimming-vaccine-recommendations-131129647))
The order halted Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.âs January 2026 move to end broad ârecommended for all childrenâ guidance for vaccines including flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis, and RSV. ([abcnews.com](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-us-government-slimming-vaccine-recommendations-131129647))
The judge also stopped (or forced postponement of) a CDC vaccine-advisory meeting in Atlanta scheduled to begin that week, tied to questions about the committeeâs legality after Kennedyâs appointments. ([abcnews.com](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-us-government-slimming-vaccine-recommendations-131129647))
The case was brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups and is in preliminary-injunction posture; the order is temporary pending trial or summary judgment. ([abcnews.com](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-us-government-slimming-vaccine-recommendations-131129647))
HHS said it planned to appeal; an HHS spokesperson framed the ruling as another attempt to block the Trump administration from governing. ([abcnews.com](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/judge-blocks-us-government-slimming-vaccine-recommendations-131129647))
Multiple reports indicate the judgeâs reasoning focused on alleged violations of federal procedural requirements for advisory committees and schedule changes (e.g., FACA/administrative process concerns), not a scientific re-evaluation of vaccine safety and efficacy on the merits. ([thehill.com](https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5786565-judge-blocks-kennedy-vaccine-changes/))