West Coast Health Alliance
The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is a coalition formed by an interstate compact among the states of California, Oregon, Hawaii, and Washington to coordinate public health guidelines separate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),[1] including safeguarding access to vaccines.[2]
The plan was initially announced by the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington on their respective state websites on September 3, 2025.[3][4][5] The next day, Hawaii announced that it would join.[6] On September 23, Nevadan organizations representing thousands of healthcare clinicians and public health professionals strongly urged that Nevada join.[7]
The WCHA criticized the dismantling of the CDC[8] and announced plans to coordinate providing evidence-based immunization recommendations and public access information about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.[9][10][11]
Background
[edit]The coalition was formed after a series of controversial decisions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A week before the announcement, CDC director Susan Monarez was fired over disagreements on vaccine policy, with her attorneys saying she "refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives".[1] Four more top CDC leaders resigned claiming political interference in their duties.[11] In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of an advisory panel for vaccine recommendations, replacing some with people who allegedly had previously spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.[9][10]
Earlier in 2025, the Food and Drug Administration had limited access to COVID-19 vaccines, which had previously been available to everyone over 6 months of age.[9] Under the new guidelines, only adults older than 65 and individuals with underlying health issues can receive the vaccines without first consulting a healthcare provider.[9][10] The CDC also removed its recommendation that pregnant women receive the vaccine and required parents to consult a physician before their children could be vaccinated.[10]
The initial member states previously participated in the Western States Pact, which helped coordinate the rollback of economic restrictions implemented by the state governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WCHA released recommendations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines for the 2025-2026 academic year.[12][13]
See also
[edit]- Collaboratives for respiratory virus vaccine guidelines:
- Interstate pacts for COVID-19 pandemic recovery:
- Second presidency of Donald Trump
- Vaccination policy of the United States
- Governors Public Health Alliance
References
[edit]- ^ a b Goodman, Brenda (2025-09-03). "States band together to issue public health guidance after 'destruction' of the CDC". CNN. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ Gambino, Lauren (2025-09-03). "California, Oregon and Washington ally on vaccines in rebuke to Trump's CDC". The Guardian. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ "California, Oregon, and Washington to launch new West Coast Health Alliance to uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC's credibility". Governor of California. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ "Oregon, Washington, and California form Western Health Alliance". Oregon State Governor’s Office. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ "Washington, California and Oregon to launch new West Coast Health Alliance to uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC's credibility". Washington Governor. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ "Hawaii to join West Coast Health Alliance with California, Oregon, and Washington". Governor of California. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ "Amid Trump vaccine skepticism, docs ask Lombardo to join alternate vaccine guidance group". The Nevada Independent. 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ^ Madani, Doha (2025-09-03). "West Coast states band together to provide vaccine recommendation after RFK Jr. replaces CDC panel". NBC News. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ a b c d Ho, Catherine (2025-09-03). "As CDC declines, California will join West Coast public health alliance". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ a b c d "As CDC declines, California will join West Coast public health alliance". Los Angeles Times. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ a b Choi, Joseph (2025-09-03). "States unveil vaccine coordination plan, in snub to RFK Jr". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ Tina Kotek. "Consensus WCHA 2025-26 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations" (PDF). Oregon Health Authority.
- ^ "West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV". Washington State Department of Health.