West Coast United A Vaccine Shield Rises!

Oregon, Washington, and California Unite to Protect Vaccine Access

In a significant move to safeguard public health, the Democratic governors of Oregon, Washington, and California have announced the formation of the Western Health Alliance. This partnership aims to ensure continued access to vaccines for their residents amidst concerns about the politicization of federal health guidance.

The alliance, spearheaded by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, will develop its own immunization guidelines. These guidelines will be "informed by respected national medical organizations," according to a joint press release, signaling a commitment to evidence-based practices.

The governors issued a strong statement regarding their motivations: "The CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences. California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk."

This announcement follows a turbulent period at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marked by:

• The dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez after disagreements over vaccine policies.
• The resignation of several top career scientists in protest.
• Public condemnation of the current CDC leadership by nine former directors.

The controversy stems from concerns that the current administration is prioritizing political agendas over scientific consensus regarding vaccine efficacy and safety.

Dr. Sejal Hathi, head of the Oregon Health Authority, emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust: "Vaccines are among the most powerful tools in modern medicine; they have indisputably saved millions of lives. But when guidance about their use becomes inconsistent or politicized, it undermines public trust at precisely the moment we need it most."

Recent actions by the CDC, such as limiting the availability of new COVID-19 vaccines to high-risk individuals and the replacement of the advisory committee on immunization practices with vaccine critics, have fueled these concerns.

President Trump has also weighed in on the debate, suggesting that drugmakers should publicly prove the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Western Health Alliance builds upon a history of collaboration among these West Coast states. Notably, in 2020, they formed the "Western States Pact" to coordinate pandemic responses. They have also cooperated on issues such as ensuring access to abortion medication.

While the exact mechanisms of the Western Health Alliance are still being developed, potential strategies include:

• Bulk purchasing agreements to leverage the combined population of over 50 million residents.
• Development of consistent immunization guidelines across the three states.
• Advocating for evidence-based vaccine policies at the national level.

This alliance represents a bold step by Oregon, Washington, and California to proactively protect the health of their citizens. By prioritizing scientific integrity and collaboration, they aim to ensure continued access to life-saving vaccines and maintain public trust in vital public health measures. The Western Health Alliance underscores the crucial role that states can play in safeguarding the well-being of their communities, particularly when facing uncertainty or political interference at the federal level. It's a testament to the power of regional cooperation in addressing pressing healthcare challenges and a promising model for other states to consider.

Tags: Western Health Alliance, Vaccine access, Public health, Immunization, CDC, Oregon, Washington, California, Governors, Health guidelines, Vaccine policy, Public trust, Scientific integrity, Collaboration

Source: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/03/vaccines-oregon-washington-california-cdc/