Democratic governors from Washington, California, and Oregon have announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance, a regional partnership designed to provide unified, evidence-based public health recommendations in response to what they describe as the politicization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Governors Bob Ferguson of Washington, Gavin Newsom of California, and Tina Kotek of Oregon jointly stated that the alliance aims to safeguard scientific integrity and restore public confidence in vaccine safety. "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," the governors wrote in their joint statement.
Alliance Structure and Goals
The West Coast Health Alliance will coordinate regional health guidelines, beginning with aligned immunization recommendations based on guidance from leading national medical organizations. According to the governors' statement, the partnership reflects their shared commitment to ensuring public health decisions are guided by safety, efficacy, transparency, access, and trust.
"Our communities deserve clear and transparent communication about vaccines—communication grounded in science, not ideology," said Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, director of the Oregon Health Authority. "Vaccines are among the most powerful tools in modern medicine; they have indisputably saved millions of lives."
The alliance will draw on expertise from respected scientists, clinicians, and public health leaders to provide residents with consistent, science-based information regardless of shifting federal actions. In the coming weeks, the three states will finalize shared principles to strengthen public confidence in vaccines and public health while respecting each state's unique laws, geographies, and histories.
CDC Crisis and Federal Changes
Public health leaders warn that the CDC is experiencing a crisis following significant leadership changes. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC director Susan Monarez, PhD, as part of efforts to reshape the agency's mission. Kennedy has installed antivaccine allies on key advisory committees, restricted access to mRNA COVID shots and some pediatric vaccines, and reduced federal support for states.
These changes have led to career staff resignations and left states with diminished federal backing. Experts fear the CDC is losing its role as the nation's trusted source of science-based health guidance, potentially leaving Americans more vulnerable to preventable disease.
The governors noted that leadership upheavals, diminished transparency, and changes to bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have weakened the agency's ability to prepare the nation for respiratory virus season and other pressing health challenges.
Industry Response and Concerns
The uncertainty has created challenges across the healthcare ecosystem. In the absence of clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance, manufacturers face uncertainty in planning production, health care providers lack consistent frameworks for patient care, and families are left unsure about access and coverage.
Susan Cantrell, MHL, RPh, CAE, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, expressed concern about the administration's policy changes. "We are deeply concerned by the Administration's change of course to restrict availability of safe COVID-19 vaccines," Cantrell stated. "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."
Tribal Sovereignty and State Autonomy
The alliance affirms and respects tribal sovereignty, recognizing that tribes maintain independent authority over vaccine services. This collaboration aims to provide residents with consistent, science-based information while acknowledging the unique circumstances of each participating state.
The partnership represents an unprecedented regional response to federal health policy changes, with the three West Coast states positioning themselves as guardians of scientific integrity in public health decision-making.
