California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading a multistate lawsuit against the Trump Administration over significant alterations to the childhood immunization schedule. Announced on March 15, 2026, this legal action challenges a January 5, 2026, “Decision Memo” issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that removed seven vaccines from their universally recommended status. The lawsuit claims these changes will negatively impact public health and strain state resources.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and names several defendants, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Jay Bhattacharya, Acting Director of the CDC. The complaint specifically targets the removal of vaccines that protect against rotavirus, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
A coalition of 14 state attorneys general, along with the Governor of Pennsylvania, seeks a court ruling to declare both the new vaccine schedule and the recent appointments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unlawful. The ACIP is a federal advisory board that has historically guided immunization policy in the United States.
Rob Bonta emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The Trump Administration’s attacks on science are irresponsible and dangerous. Undermining confidence in vaccines will lead to lower vaccination rates and more infectious disease.” He further noted that the changes could increase costs for states, particularly concerning Medicaid spending and combating misinformation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed strong opposition to the altered vaccine schedule. He stated, “California is going back to court because the Trump Administration is violating federal law and pushing a reckless, unscientific childhood vaccine schedule that puts kids’ lives at risk.” He added that the changes disregard decades of medical evidence and could lead to outbreaks of diseases that the country has previously controlled.
The significance of childhood vaccinations is underscored by research indicating that vaccines administered to children born in the U.S. from 1994 to 2023 have prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and over 1.1 million deaths. These efforts have resulted in societal savings estimated at $2.7 trillion.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the appointment process for ACIP members under Secretary Kennedy. During his confirmation, he assured lawmakers that he would not alter the composition of the committee. However, Kennedy subsequently dismissed all 17 ACIP members and appointed new individuals, many of whom reportedly lack the necessary expertise for their roles.
The CDC has faced scrutiny for its reliance on this reconstituted ACIP when making the recent changes. Critics argue that the January 5 memo was not supported by new scientific evidence and was based on flawed comparisons with countries like Denmark, which has a vastly different healthcare system and population demographics.
In response to the federal government’s actions, Governor Newsom announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance. This initiative aims to promote consistent public health messaging and recommendations among the states involved.
Joining Attorney General Bonta and Attorney General Mayes in this lawsuit are the attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the Governor of Pennsylvania. The detailed complaint will be made available to the public upon its filing.
This legal action highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal public health policies and underscores the critical importance of maintaining a science-based approach to childhood vaccinations.
