Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized the Texas Medical Association (TMA) for rejecting new federal guidelines that expand parental choice regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children.
Paxton accused the organization of “undermining science-backed recommendations” from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which recently shifted federal vaccine policy toward shared clinical decision-making between parents and physicians.
“It’s outrageous TMA is undermining ACIP’s new federal guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines that expand personal freedom and mitigate the medical tyranny of the Biden Administration,” Paxton said in a statement. “TMA has chosen to ignore overwhelming evidence and science-backed recommendations that ensure Texas children are not subjected to a one-size-fits-all COVID-19 vaccine mandate.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ACIP updated their COVID-19 vaccination guidance last month, moving away from universal recommendations for all children. Instead, the new policy emphasizes parental consultation and informed consent, allowing families to decide vaccination on a case-by-case basis.
Under the new guidelines, ACIP also requires that families receive forms detailing potential vaccine risks and benefits before administration.
Paxton praised President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for what he described as “incredible work following the actual science.”
“Secretary Kennedy’s HHS and ACIP have been doing incredible work following the actual science instead of merely trying to get as many jabs into as many arms as possible,” Paxton said.
According to Paxton, the Texas Medical Association quietly adopted its own position opposing ACIP’s updated recommendations and expanded its vaccine resources beyond federal guidance to include additional pro-vaccination materials for children.
Paxton characterized the move as an attempt to “push COVID-19 vaccines on Texas kids at all costs” and demanded that the association reverse its decision.
The attorney general also claimed the association’s policy shift was made “quietly” and “largely concealed” from the public.