— Much of the damage has already been done but still we soldier on
by , MD, MS, MA, Editor-in-Chief, MedPage Today
March 20, 2026
• 3 min read
On Monday, a judge's ruling delivered a blow to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s overt attack on U.S. vaccine policy. Since taking office, Kennedy has, in essence, hijacked the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). A judicial stay earlier this week means that, for now, important changes Kennedy jammed through over the last year have been reversed, including:Sudden changes in the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine recommendations (outside of the usual transparent process involving ACIP)Revisions to the pediatric vaccine schedule (which included eliminating the recommendation for routine administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose)Kennedy's ACIP member appointments were recalled (they didn't genuinely go through the legally required vetting)
