West Coast governors launch alliance to reject Trump’s CDC vaccine rules
Three Democratic Governors on the West Coast Defy Trump’s CDC Guidelines
Three Democratic governors on the West Coast are joining forces to create their own vaccine guidelines, defying President Donald Trump’s CDC rules. This move has been criticized by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as being rooted in the “failed politics of the pandemic.”
The governors of California, Oregon, and Washington have decided to reject Trump’s CDC guidelines and implement their own health policies, potentially conflicting with federal guidance. This decision has sparked a heated debate between state and federal authorities.
HHS Blasts West Coast Governors for Creating Duelling Health Systems
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon criticized the governors’ actions, stating that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) remains the scientific body guiding immunization recommendations in the country. Nixon emphasized the importance of basing health policies on rigorous evidence and scientific standards.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and two other Democratic governors are forming a health alliance to defy Trump’s CDC guidelines. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
All 17 members of the ACIP were dismissed in June by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as part of efforts to restore public trust in vaccine guidance. The West Coast Health Alliance, formed by the three governors, aims to provide alternative health recommendations based on trusted medical organizations.
West Coast Governors Defend Their Decision
In a joint statement, the governors denounced Trump’s politicization of the CDC and emphasized the need for science-based health policies. They expressed concerns that federal guidelines could lead to severe health consequences and vowed to protect the residents of their states.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Sept. 4, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The governors plan to align their health guidelines with respected medical organizations and coordinate vaccine recommendations in their states. This partnership aims to ensure that public health policies are grounded in scientific evidence and prioritize the well-being of residents.
Future of Health Policies in California, Oregon, and Washington
The West Coast Health Alliance is set to finalize its new health policies in the coming weeks, potentially creating a separate health system within the three states. Tribal nations will retain full sovereignty over vaccine programs, with the alliance respecting their authority to set their own health policies.
The ongoing conflict between state and federal health authorities highlights the importance of maintaining public trust in health guidance and ensuring that policies are based on sound scientific principles.
