On March 16, 2026, a coalition of medical professional societies and public health organizations represented by Epstein Becker Green were granted substantially all requested preliminary relief sought in AAP v. Kennedy.
The client team was led by Richard H. Hughes, IV, and James J. Oh, with fellow Members of the Firm Kathleen A. Barrett, Daniella R. Lee, Elizabeth J. McEvoy, Robert E. Wanerman; Senior Counsel Jeremy A. Avila; Associates Spreeha Choudhury, Gianna Costello, Hailey Genaw, Kyla Perrotta, William Walters; Advisor Anna Larson; and Law Clerk-Admission Pending Julia Rioux Thayer.
This major development was covered in the client’s press release and received extensive national and international coverage.
The New York Times
Judge Strikes Down Kennedy’s Vaccine Policies
“This is a significant victory for public health, evidence-based medicine, the rule of law, and the American people,” Richard Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told reporters after the court made its ruling. …
The government may appeal the decision, Mr. Hughes noted, “but for now, we get to celebrate ...”
Media Coverage
- American Public Health Association Press: Federal Judge Blocks Immunization Schedule Changes, Stays ACIP Member Appointments
The AmLaw Litigation Daily: Litigator of the Week Series
- ABC News: Judge Temporarily Blocks RFK Jr.'s Efforts to Reshape Childhood Vaccine Policy
- The Advocate: Judge Blocks RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Vaccine Policy Changes. Ex-CDC Leader Calls it ‘Big News’
- Ars Technica: RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Changes to CDC Vaccine Guidance Blocked by Judge
- Associated Press: Judge Blocks RFK Jr. From Scaling Back Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
- Axios: Judge Blocks RFK Jr. Advisers' Vaccine Changes
- Becker’s Hospital Review: Court Blocks HHS Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule
- BioWorld: Judge Pauses Kennedy’s Changes to ACIP, Vaccine Schedules
- CNN: US Judge Blocks Kennedy’s Efforts to Overhaul US Vaccine Policy
- Crain’s Chicago Business: Judge Pauses RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Changes in Win for Pediatricians Group
- Endpoints: Updated: Federal Judge Halts CDC’s Childhood Vaccine Overhaul
- Fierce Pharma: Judge Pumps Brakes on RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Overhaul, Targeting ACIP and CDC Schedule Revamp
- FirstWord Pharma: Judge Throws Up a Roadblock on RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Agenda
- Forbes: Why The CDC's Vaccine Committee Won't Meet This Week
- The Guardian: Federal Judge Blocks RFK Jr’s Overhaul of Vaccine Recommendations
- The Hill: Federal Court Blocks Kennedy’s Vaccine Changes, Invalidates Vaccine Advisory Panel
Law360: Legal Lions Series
- NBC News: Federal Judge Blocks RFK Jr.'s Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule
- The New York Times: U.S. Court Ruling Against R.F.K. Jr.’s Vaccine Policies & Judge Strikes Down Kennedy’s Vaccine Policies
- NPR: Federal Judge Halts RFK Jr.'s Changes to Children's Vaccine Policies
- Pink Sheet: Breaking: Judge Stops US CDC Childhood Immunization Changes, ACIP Appointments
- POLITICO: Federal Judge Puts RFK Jr.’s New Vaccine Schedule, Advisers on Ice
- Reuters: Instant View: US Court Order Blocking Vaccine Policy Changes a Win for Public Health, Experts Say
- Scientific American: Judge Temporarily Blocks Key Parts of RFK, Jr.’s Effort to Overhaul U.S. Childhood Vaccines