
West Coast States Form Alliance to Provide Public Health Recommendations
The governors of Washington, California, and Oregon have launched the West Coast Health Alliance to provide evidence-based guidance amid shifting CDC policies.
In a joint move they say aims to safeguard scientific integrity, Democratic governors Bob Ferguson of Washington, Gavin Newsom of California, and Tina Kotek of Oregon have announced the creation of the West Coast Health Alliance.1 The partnership aims to deliver unified, evidence-based public health recommendations and restore public confidence in vaccine safety amid what they call the erosion of the CDC’s credibility.
“President Trump’s mass firing of CDC doctors and scientists—and his blatant politicization of the agency—is a direct assault on the health and safety of the American people,” wrote the governors
The West Coast Health Alliance, according to their statement, reflects Washington, California, and Oregon’s shared commitment to ensuring that public health decisions are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust. By drawing on the expertise of respected scientists, clinicians, and public health leaders, the alliance will coordinate regional health guidelines, beginning with aligned immunization recommendations based on guidance from leading national medical organizations.
This collaboration aims to provide residents with consistent, science-based information they can rely on, regardless of shifting federal actions. In the coming weeks, the 3 states will finalize shared principles to strengthen public confidence in vaccines and public health while respecting each state’s unique laws, geographies, and histories. The alliance also affirms and respects tribal sovereignty, recognizing that tribes maintain independent authority over vaccine services.
Since its founding, the CDC has played a vital role in safeguarding Americans against disease. Today, however,
Also today, Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine has saved more than 14 million lives globally,
“We are deeply concerned by the Administration’s change of course to restrict availability of safe COVID-19 vaccines,” Susan Cantrell, MHL, RPh, CAE, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, said in a statement. “Patient health needs to be the priority for our health policy and that requires adherence to researched, tested, and trusted science surrounding safe, efficient vaccines, which are vital to maintaining and improving health outcomes at the patient and population levels.”
Additionally, public health leaders warn that the CDC is in crisis after HHS Robert F. Kennedy Jr fired CDC director Susan Monarez, PhD, amid efforts to reshape the agency’s mission, according to KFF.3 Kennedy has installed
“Our communities deserve clear and transparent communication about vaccines—communication grounded in science, not ideology,” Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, director of the Oregon Health Authority, said in the governors’ statement.1 “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. That is why Oregon is committed, alongside California and Washington, to leading with science and delivering evidence-based recommendations that protect health, save lives, and restore confidence in our public health system.”
References
1. Washington, California and Oregon to launch new West Coast Health Alliance to uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC’s credibility. News release. Governor Bob Ferguson. September 3, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025.
2. Pfizer defends COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness after Trump remarks. Reuters. September 3, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025.
3. Armour S. At CDC, worries mount that agency has taken anti-science turn. KFF. September 3, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025.
Newsletter
Stay ahead of policy, cost, and value—subscribe to AJMC for expert insights at the intersection of clinical care and health economics.