West Coast Health Alliance Sets Clinical Priorities Amid Vaccine Guidance Shifts

California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii have joined together under the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) to release coordinated recommendations for the upcoming 2025-2026 respiratory virus season.

The move, announced by the states' governors, includes guidance on updated COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.¹ From a clinical perspective, the shift ensures that pharmacists and providers can recommend vaccines broadly for patients who are most at risk of severe outcomes, even as federal recommendations narrow eligibility.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also gave his approval to AB 144, which enables the state to accept vaccination recommendations from independent medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, instead of depending only on the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

As the governors explained in a joint statement, “Our states are united in putting science, safety, and transparency first—and in protecting families with clear, credible vaccine guidance. The West Coast Health Alliance stands united in protecting public health and always putting safety before politics.”¹

Broader Eligibility and Clinical Rationale

The Alliance’s decision is rooted in evidence that vaccines remain highly effective at reducing severe disease, hospitalization, and death across diverse populations. “Vaccination is safe, effective, and the best protection available against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV,” the announcement noted.¹

Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, director of the Oregon Health Authority, emphasized both the medical and personal stakes: “As a physician, I swore an oath to do no harm—and we know vaccines are among the most powerful tools to prevent illness and save lives. As a new mother, I want the same protection for my newborn that every Oregon family deserves.”¹

This broader coverage is especially critical for infants, pregnant women, older adults, and people with comorbidities who remain vulnerable to serious complications. Pharmacists will play a key role in providing information to patients about the changed vaccines, explaining the criteria, and facilitating timely access before the highest time of the respiratory season.

Addressing Access and Coverage Challenges

A major clinical benefit of AB 144 is that it directs insurers to follow state immunization schedules rather than limited federal ones. This guarantees patients will not face gaps in coverage when seeking vaccines recommended by medical societies but excluded from federal guidance. “We want the people who live and work in our states to know that there is a strong public health, healthcare, and scientific community that will continue to stand together to provide and use the data and evidence needed for you to make healthy choices,” said Erica Pan, MD, director of the California Department of Public Health.¹

Maintaining Public Trust

Leaders across the WCHA underscored that credibility and transparency are essential. Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham explained, “Vaccines protect more than just ourselves—they help safeguard our families, neighbors, and communities. By staying up to date, Washingtonians can reduce the spread of illness and keep our state strong this season. The Alliance’s recommendations are rooted in science, giving our communities confidence in the guidance we provide.”¹

Kenneth Fink, director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, stressed that “the effectiveness of public health institutions depends on the public’s trust.… These recommendations represent a collaborative effort, done with humility and based on science, to meet our responsibilities to our communities and the public at large.”¹

Vaccine Advisor echoed these sentiments, noting the Alliance’s formation “will ensure public health policies in the states are informed by scientists and clinicians.”³

For pharmacists, who often serve as the most accessible health care professionals, this trust translates into direct patient interactions: reinforcing the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccination across age groups.

Conclusion

By forming the WCHA and enacting AB 144, West Coast states are reaffirming the clinical importance of vaccines as a frontline defense against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The initiative ensures that coverage, access, and public messaging are guided by medical evidence rather than politics. For pharmacists, the changes will mean clearer state-level directives, opportunities to close immunization gaps, and a greater role in helping patients navigate evolving recommendations. As the 2025-2026 season approaches, this unified approach may serve as a model for preserving public trust and safeguarding high-risk populations.

REFERENCES

1. Following Trump’s politicization of CDC, West Coast states issue unified vaccine recommendations — California breaks from future federal guidance with new law. Governor Gavin Newsom. September 17, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/17/following-trumps-politicization-of-cdc-west-coast-states-issue-unified-vaccine-recommendations-california-breaks-from-future-federal-guidance-with-new-law/

2. Roy J. COVID vaccine chaos: Even pharmacists are confused, but here's who can get one. San Francisco Chronicle. Updated September 11, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/california-covid-vaccine-confusion-21037625.php

3. West Coast governors form health alliance to guide Iimmunization recommendations. Vaccine Advisor. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.vaccineadvisor.com/news/west-coast-governors-form-health-alliance-to-guide-immunization-recommendations