Vaccination is not only safe and effective, but it also represents the best protection available against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Seasonal vaccinations play a crucial role as a public health tool, significantly reducing the risk of serious illness, minimizing community transmission, and alleviating pressure on our healthcare systems. Dr. Erica Pan, Director of the California Department of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of vaccinations, stating, “We want the people who live and work in our states to know that there is a strong public health, healthcare & scientific community that will continue to stand together to provide and use the data and evidence needed for you to make healthy choices, and we are here to protect our communities.”
Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, Director of the Oregon Health Authority, reinforces the message that vaccines are essential in preventing severe illness and death. “In a void of federal leadership, our four states are stepping forward to provide clear, consistent recommendations our communities can trust,” Dr. Hathi noted. “Our commitment is to ensure that our shared guidance is rooted in science and that vaccines people want and need are accessible to all. Public health depends on clarity, equity, and transparency—and that is what we’re delivering today.”
Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham adds, “Vaccines protect more than just ourselves — they help safeguard our families, neighbors, and communities. By staying up to date, Washingtonians can reduce the spread of illness and keep our state strong this season. The Alliance’s recommendations are rooted in science, giving our communities confidence in the guidance we provide.”
Dr. Kenneth S. Fink, MD, MGA, MPH, Director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, highlights that the effectiveness of public health institutions relies on the trust of the public. “We understand our responsibility to earn that trust by helping people protect themselves, their families, and their community,” he stated. “These recommendations represent a collaborative effort, done with humility and based on science, to meet our responsibilities to our communities and the public at large.”
In recent weeks, significant challenges have emerged regarding the integrity of the CDC. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has taken controversial actions, including purging the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, dismissing all 17 members, and appointing individuals with known skepticism towards vaccines. This restructuring has resulted in the dismissal of the CDC director and has triggered a series of high-level resignations. Meetings are being expedited for this newly formed panel to vote on critical recommendations that shape national vaccine policy and insurance coverage.
Public health leaders are sounding alarms about these moves, warning that they dismantle independent, science-based oversight and inject political agendas into health decisions, thereby undermining the credibility of the CDC precisely when trust and clarity are most crucial.
In response to these challenges, the Alliance states are standing firm against the undermining of science, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that health recommendations are informed by safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust. Health Officers, all medical doctors, alongside subject matter experts from each of the WCHA states, have meticulously reviewed guidelines from reputable national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
The WCHA is dedicated to making all clinically recommended vaccinations readily accessible to the residents of their states. As they continue to develop their framework, they will assess new evidence and recommendations as they arise, ensuring that their review process remains transparent. The WCHA is committed to sharing updated assessments with their communities, reinforcing the importance of community health and safety.
