California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson have announced the formation of a new West Coast Health Alliance aimed at prioritizing public health based on scientific evidence rather than political influence. This collaborative initiative responds to the Trump Administration’s undermining of the U.S. CDC’s credibility and scientific integrity, emphasizing the governors’ shared commitment to ensuring that health recommendations are founded on safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust.
In the coming weeks, the Alliance will finalize core principles designed to bolster public confidence in vaccines and overall public health. While each state will implement strategies tailored to its specific laws, geography, history, and population, these shared principles will serve as the foundation for the Alliance. Importantly, the three states recognize and respect Tribal sovereignty, affirming that Tribes maintain authority over their vaccine services.
The Alliance will safeguard scientific expertise by ensuring that public health policies in California, Oregon, and Washington are guided by reputable scientists, clinicians, and public health leaders. Through this partnership, the states will coordinate health guidelines by aligning immunization recommendations with those from respected national medical organizations, providing residents with consistent, science-based advice regardless of changing federal policies.
The CDC has historically played a crucial role in safeguarding Americans from disease. However, recent changes in leadership, decreased transparency, and the exclusion of long-standing advisory groups have diminished the agency’s ability to prepare for respiratory virus seasons and other public health crises. This lack of clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance has left manufacturers without reliable information for production, healthcare providers struggling to offer consistent care, and families facing uncertainty regarding access and coverage.
In June, the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington condemned the removal of all 17 members from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Today, they reaffirm their dedication to science-driven decision-making. The Alliance will continue to provide clear, evidence-based guidance to residents, consult with scientific experts from trusted medical organizations, and collaborate with public health leaders nationwide to ensure the health and safety of all Americans.
