West Coast states issue unified recommendations for COVID shots and flu, RSV vaccines
By Anthony Macuk, KGW
PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) — Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii have released a new set of vaccine recommendations under the West Coast Health Alliance. The four states formed the bloc earlier this month in response to recent turmoil at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the latest formulation of the COVID-19 vaccines in late August, but with stricter guidance that only recommended vaccination for people with medical risk factors that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Guidance in prior years emphasized vaccination for vulnerable groups but recommended it for everyone.
Many political leaders and medical organizations criticized the new FDA guidelines, arguing that they were not scientifically sound and stemmed from Kennedy's animosity toward vaccines. The new rules have led to widespread confusion about eligibility and left some Oregonians struggling to get appointments for new COVID booster shots.
The West Coast guidelines differ from new federal guidance in two key respects: the states are recommending the 2025-26 version of the COVID-19 vaccine for all infants between the ages of 6 and 23 months, and they're recommending it for "all who choose protection" — meaning any adult or child over 6 months who wants the vaccine, regardless of whether they have any risk factors.
"Our states are united in putting science, safety, and transparency first — and in protecting families with clear, credible vaccine guidance. The West Coast Health Alliance stands united in protecting public health and always putting safety before politics," Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a joint statement with Govs. Bob Ferguson of Washington, Gavin Newsom of California and Josh Green of Hawaii.
In a news release, the governors said their new guidance is informed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
The new West Coast guidelines focus on recommendations for the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines for the 2025-26 respiratory illness season. COVID and flu vaccines require annual shots because they're reformulated each year to target new strains of the viruses, but the RSV vaccine is typically only needed once.
The flu guidance is the most straightforward: annual vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months or older. RSV vaccinations are recommended for everyone younger than 8 months, everyone age 8-19 months with risk factors, everyone age 50-74 with risk factors, and everyone 75 or older. A prenatal RSV vaccine is also recommended at 32-36 weeks gestational age.
The COVID vaccine guidance hews close to what the FDA and CDC recommended in previous years before Kennedy took over; the vaccines are recommended for anyone age 6 months or older who wants one, as well as everyone between the ages of 6 months and 2 years and everyone age 65 or older and anyone who is pregnant, postpartum, lactating or planning a pregnancy.
They're are also recommended for all children age 2 and up who have never been vaccinated for COVID before, as well as any child or adult with other medical conditions that put them at greater risk from COVID infection and anyone who will be in close contact with someone who has risk factors.
The CDC has yet to issue its own recommendations for the 2025-26 COVID vaccines; the agency's vaccine advisory panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday and Friday to discuss and vote on new guidance, but the process has been clouded by controversy due to Kennedy's decision to fire the entire panel in June and install new members, some of whom are known for anti-vaccine positions.
News release from Gov. Tina Kotek:
Following Trump’s Politicization of CDC, West Coast States Issue Unified Vaccine Recommendations
In the vacuum left by the Trump Administration’s chaos and politicization of science, the West Coast Health Alliance today issued unified, science-based vaccine recommendations ahead of the winter virus season
Salem, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon, Governor Gavin Newsom of California, Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington, and Governor Josh Green of Hawaii announced coordinated winter virus vaccination recommendations through the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA). These recommendations include the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine, influenza, and RSV.
“Our states are united in putting science, safety, and transparency first — and in protecting families with clear, credible vaccine guidance. The West Coast Health Alliance stands united in protecting public health and always putting safety before politics.” – Joint statement from Governors Kotek, Ferguson, Newsom, and Green
Vaccination is safe, effective, and the best protection available against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Seasonal vaccination is also a critical public health tool to reduce serious illness, community transmission, and strain on hospitals.
"As a physician, I swore an oath to do no harm—and we know vaccines are among the most powerful tools to prevent illness and save lives. As a new mother, I want the same protection for my newborn that every Oregon family deserves. At a time when Washington D.C. is undermining our most basic public health safeguards, Oregon is charting a different course. Our actions today affirm that here, public health is about protecting people, not playing politics—and that every family who wants protection this respiratory virus season should be able to get it simply, safely, and affordably.” – Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, Director, Oregon Health Authority
“We want the people who live and work in our states to know that there is a strong public health, healthcare, and scientific community that will continue to stand together to provide and use the data and evidence needed for you to make healthy choices, and we are here to protect our communities.” – Dr. Erica Pan, Director of the California Department of Public Health
“The effectiveness of public health institutions depends on the public’s trust. We understand our responsibility to earn that trust by helping people protect themselves, their families and their community. These recommendations represent a collaborative effort, done with humility and based on science, to meet our responsibilities to our communities and the public at large.” – Kenneth S. Fink, MD, MGA, MPH, Director, Hawaiʻi Department of Health
“Vaccines protect more than just ourselves — they help safeguard our families, neighbors, and communities. By staying up to date, Washingtonians can reduce the spread of illness and keep our state strong this season. The Alliance’s recommendations are rooted in science, giving our communities confidence in the guidance we provide.” – Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham.
Truth under assault
In recent weeks, Secretary Robert J. Kennedy, Jr. has aggressively weaponized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by purging its vaccine advisory committee, firing all 17 members and replacing them with cherry-picked appointees who include vaccine skeptics. He’s forced out the CDC director, triggered high-level and career-staff resignations, and scheduled expedited meetings where this reshaped panel will vote on critical recommendations that guide national vaccine policy and insurance coverage. Public health leaders warn these moves dismantle independent, science-based oversight and inject politics into decisions that protect Americans’ health — undermining the CDC’s credibility at a moment when trust and clarity are most needed.
States stepping in
Alliance states are fighting back against the Trump administration’s assault on science — sharing a commitment to ensuring that health recommendations are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust. To develop these recommendations, Health Officers, who are all medical doctors, and subject matter experts from each of the WCHA states reviewed guidelines from credible national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The Alliance believes that all clinically recommended vaccinations should be accessible to the people of our states.
The WCHA will continue to build its structure and evaluate new evidence and recommendations as they become available, and determine how to ensure the review process is transparent. WCHA is committed to sharing any updated assessments with our communities.
Updated recommendations can be found here.
