Defending Access to
Vaccines in Pregnancy
On July 7, 2025, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Public Health Association (APHA), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), Massachusetts Public Health Alliance (MPHA), and a pregnant physician in a lawsuit to defend vaccine access for pregnant patients and to advocate for vaccine policy that is based on science and evidence-based medicine.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, our suit in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. challenges HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s recent directive withdrawing the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant people and children.
“Secretary Kennedy’s changes to vaccine recommendations have frustrated our members’ ability to effectively counsel patients regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and compromised the standard of care. Every second the Secretary’s dangerous and unsupported decisions regarding the COVID-19 vaccines stay in effect, the Directive is putting up barriers for our members’ high-risk pregnant patients to access the COVID-19 vaccine, which is increasing the risk of serious infection and illness and eroding patient trust in all recommended vaccinations.”
Sindhu K. Srinivas, MD, MSCE, President, SMFM
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Has SMFM ever taken a plaintiff position in a lawsuit before?
No; though we have been approached in the past to take a plaintiff position, this is the first time we have done so. However, we have submitted many amicus briefs in other cases.
Why did SMFM take a plaintiff position in this case?
No legal advocacy strategy is taken lightly. Under the careful guidance of legal counsel, the SMFM leadership determined that as the professional association for maternal-fetal medicine, we are choosing to advocate on behalf of you and your patients and aim to restore a vaccine policy that supports a longstanding standard of care, patient access, and positive health outcomes.
What do I do if the media contacts me as an SMFM member about the case?
All media inquiries should be directed to Greg Phillips, SMFM’s Director of Communications - gphillips@smfm.org.
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Medical Societies Sue Kennedy and H.H.S. Over Vaccine Advice - New York Times, July 7, 2025
Doctors’ groups sue Kennedy over Covid shot changes for kids, pregnant people - Politico, July 7, 2025
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AAP - Immunization Schedules
ACP - Adult Immunization
APHA - Vaccines