Center for Health Law Studies Hosts 38th Annual Symposium
On March 27, 2026, the Saint Louis University Center for Health Law Studies hosted the 38th annual health law symposium, highlighting vaccine science and policy in the United States. Titled “A Defining Moment for Vaccine Science and Policy”, the SLU School of Law event explored the challenges facing the field of health law under the current Trump administration.
The keynote was delivered by Wendy Parmet, the Matthews Distinguished Professor of Law for Vaccine Science and Policy at Northeastern University School of Law. Reflecting back on the story of vaccine science in the United States, Parmet said: “The past has not been kind or healthy for our children.”
In exploring the roles of the state, federal and court system in vaccine policy, Parmet noted that “mandates are no longer presumptively secure under constitutional law” and warned that “we face one of the greatest crises in vaccine law, health law, and the rule of law.”
The rest of the day explored what can be done to strengthen vaccine policy in both our current climate and in years to come through a set of three panels: Current Issues in Vaccine Policy, the Pediatric Vaccine Schedule, and Path Forward.
The symposium brought together legal scholars, professors, and leading practitioners from across the country.
The Center for Health Law Studies is consistently ranked one of the nation’s top health law programs by U.S. News and World Report. Center faculty, alumni, and students are widely recognized for their expertise and contributions to the field of health law.
This symposium was organized by Michael Sinha, M.D., J.D., a professor in the Center for the Health Law Studies. The symposium is an annual event featuring leading experts and scholars that focuses on groundbreaking issues in health law and policy. The symposium's proceedings are published in the Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law & Policy.