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Health care industry

Medical Groups Sue US Health Secretary Over Covid-19 Vaccine Policy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent announcement that Covid-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for children and pregnant women has sparked widespread criticism from the medical community. Several leading medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Physicians (ACP), have filed a lawsuit against Kennedy, accusing him of endangering public health with his "unilateral, unscientific" directive. The groups are calling on the court to restore the Covid-19 vaccine to immunization schedules, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust between doctors and patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit was filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), and other leading medical groups against US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • The groups accuse Kennedy of endangering public health with his new Covid-19 vaccine recommendations, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust between doctors and patients.
  • The lawsuit aims to restore the Covid-19 vaccine to immunization schedules, which Kennedy's office had removed from recommendations for children and pregnant women.
  • Tina Tan, a pediatrician and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, expressed concerns about the impact of Kennedy's directive on parents' ability to protect their children through vaccination.
  • Susan Kressly of the AAP warned that pediatricians cannot stay silent as the system they rely on to support life-saving vaccines is being undermined by Kennedy's efforts to sow doubt and distrust in vaccines.
  • Jason Goldman, president of the ACP, noted that adult patients are increasingly hesitant to get vaccinated due to misinformation and a lack of trust in the healthcare system.
  • The US has recorded its worst measles epidemic in more than 30 years, with 1,277 cases confirmed since the beginning of 2025.

Statistics:

  • Total US cases of measles in 2025: 1,277 confirmed cases
  • Number of states affected by measles: 40 out of 50
  • Worst measles epidemic in the US in over 30 years
  • Highest number of US measles cases since 1992
  • Federal health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Sources:

  • BSS (Bangladesh official news agency)
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • AFP (Agence France-Presse)
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • American College of Physicians (ACP)
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America

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