03/18/2026
Statement from ACOG Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Molly Meegan, JD, on yesterday’s ruling by a federal judge in Massachusetts blocking the implementation of HHS’s recent changes to vaccine recommendations:
“For decades, the American medical community and the public we serve have counted on the federal government to provide vaccine guidance based on rigorous evaluation of scientific evidence.
“We are gratified that the court recognized that evidence does not support HHS’s recent changes to vaccine recommendations, including rescinding the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for pregnant women, and that expert bodies like ACIP must include individuals who have the necessary expertise and are free from ideological bias.
“The science is clear: Vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of severe maternal illness while also transferring protective antibodies to the fetus, providing critical dual protection.”