California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes have announced a multistate lawsuit aimed at blocking changes made by the Trump Administration to the childhood immunization schedule. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the complaint challenges a January 5, 2026, “Decision Memo” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which removed seven vaccines from their universally recommended status. This decision could potentially lead to increased illnesses and strain state healthcare resources.
The lawsuit names Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya among the defendants. The coalition, which includes attorneys general from 14 states and the Governor of Pennsylvania, argues that the alterations to the vaccine schedule and the replacement of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are unlawful.
“The Trump Administration’s attacks on science are irresponsible and dangerous,” stated Bonta. He emphasized that undermining vaccine confidence will lead to lower vaccination rates, resulting in higher healthcare costs due to increased disease outbreaks. Governor Gavin Newsom of California echoed these sentiments, asserting that the new vaccine schedule contradicts decades of medical evidence and could endanger children’s lives.
Between 1994 and 2023, routine childhood vaccinations in the United States have been credited with preventing approximately 508 million cases of illness, leading to 32 million hospitalizations and over 1.1 million deaths. This achievement, yielding an estimated $2.7 trillion in societal savings, relied heavily on the guidance provided by medical experts serving on the ACIP.
The lawsuit claims that Secretary Kennedy, a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement, has further eroded public trust in safe vaccines. During his confirmation process, he promised not to alter the ACIP, which plays a critical role in developing vaccination recommendations. The ACIP’s recommendations become official CDC policy and determine coverage under various federal immunization programs.
In June 2025, Kennedy dismissed all 17 ACIP members and appointed a new panel, drawing criticism for failing to meet the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements for balance and scientific qualifications. Subsequently, on December 5, 2025, the newly appointed ACIP members voted to reverse nearly 30 years of CDC policy recommending the universal administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, a vaccine proven to be up to 90% effective in preventing perinatal infection.
The recent changes were solidified in a memo authorized by then-Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill, who lacks a medical or scientific background. The memo demoted seven vaccines, including those for rotavirus, meningococcal disease, and COVID-19, which could lead to confusion among healthcare providers and the public. The decision was not based on any new scientific evidence or recommendations from the legally constituted ACIP.
In response to these developments, Governor Newsom announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance, aimed at providing clear communication and guidance on health matters to both the public and healthcare professionals.
The coalition of states participating in the lawsuit includes representatives from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The complaint will be publicly accessible once finalized.
This legal action underscores the ongoing tension between state governments and federal health policies, particularly concerning public health measures that impact children’s well-being across the nation.
