In a significant move aimed at safeguarding public health, California, Oregon, and Washington have officially joined forces to insulate vaccine guidance and other health recommendations from political interference. This collaboration, called the West Coast Health Alliance, is a response to the recent turmoil at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the administration of President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
On Wednesday, Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Tina Kotek of Oregon, and Bob Ferguson of Washington announced the creation of this alliance, which aims to keep health policies in their states unified and grounded in scientific expertise. The decision comes at a time when the nation's leading public health agency is undergoing significant changes, which have raised concerns among health experts and community leaders.
In their joint statement, the three governors expressed their apprehension regarding President Trump’s mass firings of CDC doctors and scientists. They described it as a “direct assault on the health and safety of the American people.” The governors emphasized that the CDC has increasingly become a political tool, promoting ideology over scientific facts—an approach they believe poses severe health risks to the population. “California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk,” they declared.
In June, the three states condemned Kennedy’s controversial decision to dismiss all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Reports from the Associated Press indicated that some of the new appointees have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy defended his choices, claiming that the changes would foster greater public trust by eliminating biases from the committee.
The newly formed West Coast Health Alliance will prioritize providing evidence-based recommendations regarding immunizations. The alliance is committed to ensuring that the public has access to credible information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. While sharing immunization guidelines, each state will also implement independent strategies that take into account their unique laws, geographies, histories, and populations.
Dr. Erica Pan, the director of the California Department of Public Health, emphasized the necessity of standing with medical professionals. “The dismantling of public health and the dismissal of experienced and respected health leaders and advisors, along with the lack of using science, data, and evidence to improve our nation’s health, are placing lives at risk,” Pan stated in a recent announcement.
This collaborative effort among California, Oregon, and Washington marks a decisive step toward ensuring that public health policies are driven by science rather than political agendas. The West Coast Health Alliance aims to provide a robust framework for immunization and public health strategies that prioritize the well-being of the communities they serve.
