West Coast Governors Form Alliance for Independent Vaccine Guidelines

Governors of Washington, Oregon, and California announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance on September 5, 2025, aiming to establish independent vaccination recommendations amid growing distrust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This new coalition will prioritize medical guidance from "respected national medical organizations" rather than adhering to CDC guidelines, which the alliance claims have become "a political tool that increasingly promotes ideology over science."

Earlier this summer, Kennedy appointed new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), leading to a controversial decision to limit COVID-19 vaccinations to elderly individuals most at risk of serious complications. This shift has sparked debate and concern among public health officials and citizens alike.

The impact of the West Coast Health Alliance could reshape vaccination protocols across the region, potentially affecting millions of residents. As previously reported, this move reflects a broader trend of skepticism surrounding federal health recommendations and may lead to divergent public health strategies in these three states.