The health secretary is working to resume the functions of a government advisory panel on vaccines. This move comes after a judge suspended its decisions and prevented scheduled meetings.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced scrutiny during a House hearing in April. In June of last year, he dismissed all 17 members of a vaccine advisory committee and appointed new members, many sharing his vaccine skepticism.

As of June 15, 2026, the Trump administration has sought a rapid appeal of a court ruling. The decision in question blocked actions taken by Mr. Kennedy, including withdrawing routine vaccination recommendations for several childhood diseases.

Mr. Kennedy announced on social media that the administration filed a motion to expedite the appeal. The goal is for federal vaccine advisers to convene and decide on recommending vaccines before the upcoming flu season.

This development follows a lawsuit from six medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit claims Mr. Kennedy and his appointees at the CDC enacted “arbitrary and capricious” changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.

The lawsuit also contends the new panelists on the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices lacked proper qualifications. Allegedly, their decisions posed risks to public health.

In March, a Massachusetts federal judge issued a ruling temporarily halting Mr. Kennedy’s vaccine policies. The ruling froze decisions by Mr. Kennedy’s appointees and suspended committee meetings pending trial outcomes.

The announcement of the appeal indicates attempts to reactivate the committee. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order. It encouraged the CDC and the panel to harmonize childhood vaccination recommendations with international standards.

Separately, Mr. Kennedy’s office renewed the committee’s charter in an effort to restore its functions.