Sacramento Update on Vaccination Laws
Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a law that allows California to establish its own vaccination schedules, relying on input from state health experts and independent medical organizations.
This decision coincided with a joint announcement from California and other West Coast states regarding recommendations for Covid-19, flu, and RSV vaccines.
“Our states are united in prioritizing science, safety, and transparency, delivering clear vaccine guidance to protect families,” remarked Newsom, who is part of the West Coast Health Alliance.
A surge in vaccine-related initiatives emerged as California lawmakers and the University of California proposed a significant $23 billion voting measure aimed at replenishing federal research funds previously cut during the Trump administration. If the California Legislature approves it when they reconvene in January, voters will see it on the ballot in November 2026.
“The substantial loss of federal funding to the University of California presents a moment of unprecedented risk for our state and communities,” stated Teresa Maldonado from Research and Innovation.
In the backdrop of an increase in Covid cases and the looming flu season, conflicts arise in healthcare. For years, the CDC has been a trusted source for vaccine information, establishing childhood vaccination schedules and guiding adult vaccination policies nationwide.
Under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC has faced criticism after firing senior officials and reshaping the Vaccine Advisory Board, which now includes members who have previously spread misinformation regarding vaccinations.
A long-time vaccine skeptic, Kennedy defended these changes, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust and separate politics from science. “For the first time in this institution’s history, we will provide the truth,” he asserted during a divisive Senate Finance Committee hearing this month.
These alterations have sparked a significant backlash, with over 1,000 current and former health agency employees calling for Kennedy’s resignation. Nonetheless, some states have adopted similar measures, as Florida moves to become the first state to abolish all mandatory vaccinations, including for schoolchildren.
Compounding the polarization, recent KFF polls reveal that many Americans are increasingly unsure about public health guidance and whether new recommendations provide more safety.
Public health specialists argue that vaccines are essential for both individual and community health, effectively reducing long-term healthcare costs by curtailing illness outbreaks.
Changes to federal vaccine recommendations are notable, with the FDA now suggesting that adults under 65 and those without existing health conditions may not require certain vaccinations. Similarly, the CDC has called for parents of healthy children to consult their healthcare providers before getting the Covid vaccine, which the American Academy of Pediatrics labeled as “deeply concerning.”
To counteract CDC guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics released its own Covid Vaccine Guidance, recommending vaccination for older children at parents’ requests.
Additionally, the CDC has revised its recommendations for pregnant women, now offering “no guidance” on vaccination possibilities—despite other authorities suggesting all pregnant women should receive the Covid vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that updated Covid-19 vaccines should be given to pregnant women at any point during their pregnancy.
California has expressed its intent to reject CDC guidance, starting with new recommendations from the West Coast Health Alliance released recently. These guidelines were crafted by health professionals and experts from each state, reviewing criteria set by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The COVID-19 vaccine guidelines from the West Coast Health Alliance include recommending vaccinations for all children with risk factors aged six months to 64 years, as well as for pregnant and postnatal women, or those planning to become pregnant. Furthermore, they advise administering flu shots to all adults and children over six months of age. For the RSV vaccine, recommendations include children under eight months and individuals over 75, with provisions for others based on specific risk factors.
“We want residents and workers in our state to understand that a dedicated public health and scientific community continues to collaborate, providing the data and evidence necessary for healthy choices,” a spokesperson stated.
