In a significant move for public health, four Western U.S. states—California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii—have joined forces to issue unified vaccine recommendations for the upcoming respiratory illness season. This collaboration, led by Democratic governors, comes in response to a growing concern over the erosion of trust in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Earlier this month, the states formed the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) to advocate for public health measures that prioritize scientific integrity. California Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the alliance's purpose in a press release, stating that it represents a collective response to what he termed the “destruction of the CDC’s credibility” during the Trump Administration.
On the same day as the announcement, Governor Newsom signed a groundbreaking law that shifts California’s immunization recommendations from the CDC to independent medical organizations. This new guidance will be based on the expertise of well-respected entities such as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This legislative change aims to ensure that public health policies are grounded in rigorous scientific evidence rather than political influence.
The recommendations from the West Coast states include crucial guidance on receiving the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson remarked, “Science matters. We will ensure our policies are based on rigorous science.” He highlighted the importance of prioritizing public health and safety over political agendas.
The announcement of the WCHA’s recommendations comes just one day before the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, where a panel of advisers, recently appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, is expected to vote on vaccines for the childhood immunization schedule. The committee will also discuss recommendations for the new COVID-19 vaccines.
The FDA has currently approved the new COVID-19 vaccines specifically for individuals at high risk of severe illness, including those aged 65 and older. For individuals outside these categories, a prescription for the vaccine can be obtained after consultation with a healthcare provider. The association representing various insurance companies, AHIP, has pledged to cover the costs for any vaccines that adhere to existing guidelines before the new ACIP recommendations are finalized.
The current vaccination guidelines recommend that anyone over the age of six months should consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine as well as the annual flu shot until at least the end of 2026. Additionally, several states have implemented rules allowing individuals to receive vaccines at their local pharmacies.
In response to the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) criticized the plans of the Democratic-led states. The statement underscored that ACIP remains the authoritative scientific body guiding immunization recommendations in the United States, asserting that HHS will continue to base its policies on rigorous evidence and “Gold Standard Science,” rather than the political decisions made during the pandemic.
