Overview

• California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii released joint COVID-19 guidance that urges vaccination for pregnant people, all adults 65 and older, children 6–23 months, and others at risk or anyone who chooses protection.
• The alliance also recommends shots for older children and teens with risk factors or no prior COVID vaccination, while its RSV and flu guidance tracks with current CDC advice.
• State health leaders say their recommendations align with positions from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
• HHS responded that ACIP remains the nation’s immunization science body and said federal policy will be based on rigorous evidence and “Gold Standard Science.”
• The release coincides with fired CDC director Susan Monarez’s testimony alleging political pressure on vaccine policy and precedes an ACIP meeting on COVID and routine child vaccines, with insurance coverage for non-federal groups still uncertain.