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yesterday

West Coast States Issue Joint Vaccine Guidance as California Enacts Law Breaking From CDC

State leaders aim to preserve broad vaccine access following narrowed federal recommendations.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination mandate for healthcare workers, in New York City, U.S., September 27, 2021. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo
A health care administer gives the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to a person at the L.A. Care Health Plan free testing and vaccination site at the First African Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 29, 2022. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo
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Overview

  • California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii released unified winter recommendations for COVID-19, flu and RSV, urging COVID shots for children 6–23 months, pregnant people, adults 65 and older, those with risk factors and anyone who chooses protection.
  • Flu shots are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, while RSV vaccination is advised for infants, pregnant people at 32–36 weeks, adults 75 and older and adults 50–74 with risk factors, aligning largely with prior CDC guidance.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 144 to base California’s immunization schedules on independent medical groups and to require most state-regulated insurers and Medi-Cal to cover state-endorsed vaccines, with plans given up to 15 days to comply.
  • The states’ move diverges from recent federal shifts, including FDA’s narrowed COVID-19 approvals and HHS decisions that rescinded recommendations for pregnant people and many children and replaced ACIP members.
  • HHS defended ACIP as the national scientific authority as the reconstituted panel convenes this week, while questions persist about coverage for federally regulated employer plans and access through federal programs.