New York, alongside several other Northeastern states, is spearheading a new regional public health coalition. This alliance aims to develop independent vaccine recommendations and synchronize public health strategies, directly challenging recent shifts in federal health policy under the Trump administration, according to state officials.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is set to officially announce the state’s participation in this initiative. This effort mirrors the West Coast Health Alliance, a similar group formed by four Democratic-led Western states, including California, which recently released its own vaccine guidelines.
Both the Western and Northeastern regional coalitions represent a concerted push to fortify public health measures and provide official government endorsements for vaccines. This comes at a crucial time when federal public health institutions are seen as stepping back from these roles.
The Northeast Public Health Collaborative, much like its Western counterpart, is particularly focused on promoting broad vaccination. This strategic focus arises as federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has actively campaigned against vaccines. In recent weeks, the federal government has cancelled significant contracts for vaccine research and development, and has also introduced restrictions that limit access to the most current versions of the Covid vaccine.
State officials plan to issue guidelines for the latest coronavirus vaccines, recommending them for infants and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months, and for adults over 19. The guidance also suggests that healthy children over two years old and adolescents may receive the coronavirus vaccine, and strongly advises vaccination for any child with pre-existing health conditions.
Dr. James V. McDonald, New York State’s health commissioner, emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “Vaccines save lives, and this guidance ensures every New Yorker, from our youngest children to those at highest risk, has safe, reliable access to the Covid vaccine.”
These new state recommendations notably diverge from federal directives. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration only authorized updated coronavirus vaccines for individuals 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying medical conditions that increase Covid risks. The FDA did not authorize these vaccines for healthy adults under 65, prompting various state officials, including Governor Hochul, to issue executive orders permitting pharmacists to administer the latest coronavirus vaccines to most individuals seeking them.
The Northeast Public Health Collaborative comprises New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and New York City, which boasts the nation’s largest municipal health department.
Interviews with public health officials revealed that the Northeast collaborative has been in the planning stages for some time. Representatives from state health departments convened in Rhode Island last month to finalize the details. The initiative has already established working groups dedicated to key areas such as vaccine recommendations, data collection, and enhancing laboratory capacity.
Officials noted that this new collaborative builds upon existing health cooperation between the states, referencing a long-standing network of New England public health laboratories whose directors have regularly met over decades to address common challenges.
Furthermore, members of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative intend to coordinate public health preparations for the 2026 World Cup and strengthen collaboration on state laboratory services.