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Sep 17, 2025

Following Trump's politicization of CDC, West Coast states issue unified vaccine recommendations — California breaks from future federal guidance with new law

What you need to know: In the vacuum left by the Trump Administration's chaos and politicization of science, the West Coast Health Alliance today issued unified, science-based vaccine recommendations ahead of the winter virus season. Governor Gavin Newsom also signed AB 144, empowering California to chart its own path and reject corrupted federal guidelines.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom of California, Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon, Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington, and Governor Josh Green of Hawaii announced coordinated winter virus vaccination recommendations through the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA). These recommendations include the 2025–26 COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines.

In addition, Governor Newsom signed AB 144, authorizing California to base future immunization guidance on credible, independent medical organizations rather than the CDC's increasingly politicized Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

"Our states are united in putting science, safety, and transparency first — and in protecting families with clear, credible vaccine guidance. The West Coast Health Alliance stands united in protecting public health and always putting safety before politics."

Joint statement from Governors Newsom, Kotek, Ferguson, and Green

Vaccination is safe, effective, and the best protection available against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Seasonal vaccination is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness, community transmission, and strain on hospitals.

"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. Erica Pan, Director of the California Department of Public Health

"As a physician, I swore an oath to do no harm—and we know vaccines are among the most powerful tools to prevent illness and save lives. As a new mother, I want the same protection for my newborn that every Oregon family deserves. At a time when Washington is undermining our most basic public health safeguards, Oregon is charting a different course. Our actions today affirm that here, public health is about protecting people, not playing politics—and that every family who wants protection this respiratory virus season should be able to get it simply, safely, and affordably." – Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, Director, Oregon Health Authority

"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." – Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham

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"The effectiveness of public health institutions depends on the public's trust. We understand our responsibility to earn that trust by helping people protect themselves, their families and their community. 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." – Kenneth S. Fink, MD, MGA, MPH, Director, Hawaiʻi Department of Health

Truth under assault

In recent weeks, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has aggressively weaponized the CDC by purging its vaccine advisory committee, firing all 17 members and replacing them with cherry-picked appointees who include vaccine skeptics. He's forced out the CDC director, triggered high-level and career-staff resignations, and scheduled expedited meetings where this reshaped panel will vote on critical recommendations that guide national vaccine policy and insurance coverage. Public health leaders warn these moves dismantle independent, science-based oversight and inject politics into decisions that protect Americans' health — undermining the CDC's credibility at a moment when trust and clarity are most needed.

States stepping in

Alliance states are fighting back against the Trump administration's assault on science — sharing a commitment to ensuring that health recommendations are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust. To develop these recommendations, Health Officers, who are all medical doctors, and subject matter experts from each of the WCHA states reviewed guidelines from credible 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). Our alliance believes that all clinically recommended vaccinations should be accessible to the people of our states.

The WCHA will continue to build its structure, evaluate new evidence and recommendations as they become available, and determine how to ensure the review process is transparent. WCHA is committed to sharing any updated assessments with our communities.

To learn more about these updated recommendations, click here.

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