Four Democratic-led Western states have taken a significant step by releasing their own comprehensive recommendations for three common seasonal vaccines. This move is a direct rebuttal to attempts by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to alter established federal vaccine policies.
The coalition, known as the West Coast Health Alliance—comprising health officials from California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii—is strongly urging all residents aged six months and older to receive the flu vaccine this autumn. Their guidelines also advocate for Covid-19 vaccination across broad segments of the population, including pregnant women and all children from six months to two years of age. Additionally, they recommend RSV vaccines for infants under eight months, adults over 75, and individuals with specific underlying health risks.
These detailed recommendations largely align with the clinical advice provided by the federal government and prominent national medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
However, the new state-level guidance noticeably departs from the current stance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under Mr. Kennedy’s leadership. The CDC, for instance, no longer advises the Covid vaccine for healthy pregnant women and suggests it only for healthy children after consultation with a doctor. While no major changes have been made to flu vaccine recommendations, the CDC has yet to issue specific guidance on RSV vaccines.
This week, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to convene to review and potentially revise recommendations for several vaccines, including those for Covid, hepatitis B, and measles. Notably, Mr. Kennedy dismissed and replaced all previous committee members this summer, appointing individuals known for their long-standing skepticism regarding vaccine safety and efficacy.
The Western states’ announcement coincided with the testimony of Susan Monarez, the recently dismissed director of the CDC, before the Senate health committee. Monarez stated she was fired by Mr. Kennedy for her refusal to endorse his vaccine recommendations without prior scientific review.
Covid-19 vaccine recommendations:
- Children aged 6-23 months; children aged 2-18 years with risk factors; or those never vaccinated against Covid-19. Also, all children in close contact with individuals who have risk factors.
- Women who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant, postpartum, or lactating.
- Adults aged 65 years and older; adults younger than 65 with risk factors; adults in close contact with individuals who have risk factors.
Flu vaccine recommendations:
- Everyone 6 months and older, including women who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant, postpartum, or lactating.
R.S.V. vaccine recommendations:
- Children younger than 8 months; children 8-19 months with risk factors.
- All pregnant women who are 32-36 weeks gestational age.
- Adults aged 75 years and older; adults aged 50-74 with risk factors.