Disregarding Kennedy's suggestions, states intend to issue their own guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations

West Coast States Form Health Alliance to Counter Federal Vaccine Policies

In a move aimed at restoring public trust in vaccine policies, three Democratic-controlled West Coast states – California, Oregon, and Washington – have announced plans to form a "health alliance" to review scientific data and make vaccine recommendations for their residents.

The alliance, which was sparked by the dismissal of all 17 experts on the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will consult with medical groups for vaccine recommendations on respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and the flu, as well as childhood immunizations.

The Western states' health alliance aims to advise with organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and local public health departments when creating vaccination guidance for respiratory diseases.

The alliance did not specify which medical groups would be consulted in formulating the guidance. However, it's worth noting that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have publicly broken with the new federal health guidelines.

Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, expressed concern about the lack of trust in the CDC and the potential for confusion due to conflicting state guidelines. He suggested that unless states align their guidelines with respected medical organizations, the cacophony of advice could obscure scientific truth.

The differing state moves highlight the increasingly disjointed nature of vaccine policy across the country. For instance, Florida has announced it will end all vaccine mandates, including for children to attend schools. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed the West Coast states' plan, though it was not immediately clear whether it would require legislative input.

The federal vaccine policies have been changing rapidly since Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, took control of the CDC's vaccine decisions. Kennedy's appointment has also seen vaccine skeptics appointed to several posts and the ending of $500 million in federal funding for mRNA vaccines.

The FDA's approval does not allow anyone else to receive the new shots, even if they live with someone at high risk. The agency has limited updated COVID shot approvals to people 65 or older or those with medical conditions.

The states' move is in response to the CDC becoming "a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science," as stated by the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington. The alliance did not address questions about health insurance coverage for vaccines not recommended by the federal government, potential repercussions for healthcare providers, or continued state vaccine requirements.

States in the Northeast are discussing coordinating their own vaccine recommendations, following the lead of the West Coast states. The hope is that these regional alliances will help to bring clarity and consistency to vaccine policies across the United States.

Disregarding Kennedy's suggestions, states intend to issue their own guidelines for COVID-19 vaccinations