On February 24, 15 states sued the Trump Administration over recent changes to the CDC’s childhood immunization schedule and the “unlawful replacement” of the agency’s vaccine advisors. A lawyer representing California in the lawsuit accused federal health officials of “flouting decades of scientific research, ignoring credible medical experts, and threatening to strain state resources and make America’s children sicker.” The administration is facing a similar lawsuit from six medical organizations.
Online responses to the lawsuit were mixed. Some supported the states for “fighting back” and noted that vaccination is not a “personal choice” if it increases the risk of spreading a preventable disease to others. Others dismissed the lawsuits as political grandstanding, questioned the safety of routine vaccines, and falsely suggested that doctors get “kickbacks” for vaccination.
Recommendation
Contradictory vaccine guidance from federal health authorities and medical experts may cause confusion and reduce confidence in health guidance. A late-January KFF poll found that fewer than half of U.S. adults expressed confidence in federal vaccine guidance. Health communicators can help address parents’ concerns about childhood vaccination by explaining why we know vaccines are safe and how vaccines protect children, families, and communities.
Continuing to lead with accurate information from vetted sources is recommended. Communicators may also explain that AAP’s 2026 schedule is endorsed by a dozen major medical organizations and supported by decades of evidence showing that childhood vaccines help protect children. Messaging may emphasize that parents are not required to follow the CDC’s revised schedule and may instead keep their children on the AAP’s evidence-based schedule.
Fact-checking sources: AAP, Public Good News, CIDRAP
Communication resources: Download What to Know About Changes to the Pediatric Immunization Schedule
