Mayes & Bonta Challenge CDC's Vaccine Overhaul in New Lawsuit

Mar 2, 2026, 2:18 AM

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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have initiated a multistate lawsuit challenging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over significant changes to the childhood vaccination schedule implemented by the Trump administration.

The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, specifically targets a January 5, 2026, "Decision Memo" that removed seven critical childhood vaccines from their universally recommended status. These vaccines protect against rotavirus, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Attorney General Mayes expressed deep concerns regarding the potential risks posed to children’s health by these changes, stating, "For decades, the CDC's childhood immunization schedule has been grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and has saved millions of lives." She criticized Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and the Trump administration for allegedly prioritizing ideology over established medical science.

The lawsuit also challenges the abrupt dismissal of all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which has historically guided vaccine policy in the US Mayes emphasized that the new appointees lack the necessary expertise, with at least nine of the thirteen current members lacking the qualifications outlined in ACIP's charter.

Bonta reiterated the lawsuit's intent to protect public health, stating, "Public health decisions must be grounded in truth and facts." He highlighted that undermining vaccine confidence could result in lower vaccination rates and increased infectious disease outbreaks, which would subsequently strain state resources.

The complaint argues that the January 2026 changes were made without sufficient scientific backing or public input. Instead, they were allegedly based on superficial comparisons to other countries, particularly Denmark, ignoring key differences in healthcare systems. According to the lawsuit, more than 100 million Americans lack consistent access to primary care, making guidance to "discuss vaccines with your clinician" impractical.

Historical data underscores the importance of vaccines, with estimates indicating that routine childhood vaccinations have prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and over 1.1 million deaths in the US between 1994 and 2023.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to declare the new immunization schedule and ACIP appointments unlawful, aiming to restore the previous CDC guidelines that have been effective for decades.

In addition to Mayes and Bonta, the coalition includes the attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the Governor of Pennsylvania.

This legal challenge highlights ongoing tensions between public health policies and political influences, emphasizing the need for evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these changes on public health and vaccine confidence remain a critical concern for states across the nation.

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