States Take Legal Action Against Trump Admin Over Vaccine Changes
Over a dozen states have initiated legal action against the Trump administration regarding its reversal of vaccine recommendations for children, labelling the decision an unlawful risk to public health. On Tuesday, the states contended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jeopardised children’s lives by declaring last month that it would cease recommending immunisations for all children against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain types of meningitis, and RSV. Under the new guidance, which faced criticism from medical experts, protections against those diseases are advised only for specific groups identified as high risk or when doctors suggest them in what is referred to as “shared decision-making.”
The new vaccine recommendations disregard established medical guidance and will compel states, such as Arizona and California, to incur additional expenses to safeguard against outbreaks, the states stated. “The health and safety of children across the country is not a political issue,” Kris Mayes said. “This is not a talking point in the culture war.” Emily G Hilliard criticised the complaint as a “publicity stunt dressed up as a lawsuit.” The lawsuit intensifies a continuing conflict between states governed by Democrats and the administration of Republican President Donald Trump regarding the federal government’s modifications to public health policy under Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
The Trump administration has dismissed thousands of employees at federal public health agencies, reduced financial support for scientific research, and modified government recommendations regarding fluoride and various other subjects. Kennedy last year removed every member of a vaccine advisory committee and appointed his own selections, which Tuesday’s complaint claims was unlawful.
The lawsuit follows several months after the Democratic governors of California, Washington state, and Oregon formed an alliance to create their own vaccine recommendations. The governors expressed concern that the Trump administration was jeopardising public health by politicising the CDC. States hold the power to mandate vaccinations for schoolchildren, although the guidelines set forth by the CDC often shape state policies.
