A coalition of doctors' groups and public health organizations sued the US government on Monday over what they are calling 'unlawful, unilateral vaccine changes' amid measles and flu outbreaks

A group of doctors and public health organizations have taken legal action against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr over what they are calling "unlawful, unilateral vaccine changes."

The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Boston by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and four other groups, along with an anonymous pregnant doctor who works in a hospital. The organizations are challenging the decision to cease recommending vaccinations, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, for most children and pregnant women and have accused the HHS and Kennedy of unjustly replacing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) entire vaccine advisory panel.

Previously, US health officials had encouraged annual COVID-19 shots for all Americans aged 6 months and older, following the advice of infectious disease experts. However, in late May, the Health Secretary announced that he was removing COVID-19 shots from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.

This move was met with criticism from many health experts, who accused Kennedy of ignoring the scientific review process that has been established for decades. This process involves experts publicly reviewing current medical evidence and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of policy changes.

The new lawsuit echoes these concerns, alleging that Kennedy and other political appointees at the US Department of Health and Human Services have disregarded federal procedures and systematically attempted to mislead the public.

The lawsuit also highlights recent changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine activist before becoming the nation's top health official, dismissed the entire 17-member panel this month and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine advocates.

Physicians say Kennedy's actions are complicating their work - with some patients questioning all types of vaccines and others concerned they will lose access to immunizations for themselves and their children.

"This is causing uncertainty and anxiety at almost every pediatric visit that involves vaccines," said Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It comes as US pediatric flu deaths reached their highest level in 15 years and while nation is positioned to have its worst year of measles in more than three decades, she added.

There have been nearly 1,300 confirmed measles infections across the country, marking a 33-year high. At leas three people have died from the illness, while 155 have been hospitalised. Health officials say the biggest outbreaks are happening in neighborhoods with lower vaccination rates.

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said Kennedy "stands by his CDC reforms." Also participating in the suit are the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

The expectant doctor, who is identified in the lawsuit as "Jane Doe," works at a Massachusetts hospital. She seeks a COVID-19 booster to protect her unborn child and contends Kennedy's decision is making it more difficult to get the shot, according to the lawsuit.

During a press call, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs initially stated that a woman had trouble obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy and other locations, but later issued a correction to clarify that she has not yet attempted to get vaccinated.

The lawsuit was lodged in Boston because the unnamed doctor and others in Massachusetts have been impacted by Kennedy's actions, according to attorney Richard H. Hughes IV. Massachusetts has played a recurring role in the history of public health in the United States.

In 1721, Boston leaders supported an early form of inoculation amid a smallpox epidemic. Paul Revere was the inaugural head of Boston's health commission.

Additionally, a legal conflict in Cambridge resulted in a pivotal 1905 US Supreme Court ruling affirming the authority of states to mandate vaccinations. Hughes remarked, "We think it is significant and very meaningful" that this case is unfolding in Massachusetts.