West Coast states form alliance after concerns over CDC credibility

California, Oregon, and Washington have announced the formation of a new West Coast Health Alliance aimed at maintaining scientific integrity in public health policy. The move comes as the states respond to actions by the Trump Administration that they say have undermined the credibility and independence of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to a joint statement from Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Tina Kotek of Oregon, and Bob Ferguson of Washington: “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 CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences. California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”

Erica Pan, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FAAP, Director and State Public Health Officer for California Department of Public Health said: “The dismantling of public health and dismissal of experienced and respected health leaders and advisors, along with the lack of using science, data, and evidence to improve our nation’s health are placing lives at risk. California stands together with our public health and medical professional colleagues to uphold integrity and support our mission to protect the health of our communities.”

Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, Director at Oregon Health Authority added: “Our communities deserve clear and transparent communication about vaccines — communication grounded in science, not ideology. 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.”

Dennis Worsham, Secretary of Health for Washington State Department of Health commented: “When federal agencies abandon evidence-based recommendations in favor of ideology, we cannot continue down that same path. Washington State will not compromise when it comes to our values: science drives our public health policy. Public health at its core is about prevention — preventing illness, preventing the spread of disease, and preventing early, avoidable deaths. We stand firmly with trusted medical professionals and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as fellow West Coast health agencies — whose guidance remains rooted in rigorous research and clinical expertise. Our commitment is to the health and safety of our communities protecting lives through prevention,and not yielding to unsubstantiated theories that dismiss decades of proven public health practice.”

The alliance intends to provide unified immunization recommendations across state lines based on input from national medical organizations rather than relying solely on shifting federal guidance. Each state will retain independent strategies tailored by local laws but will coordinate around shared principles focused on transparency,evidence-based practices,and access.

Officials noted recent leadership changes within CDC have created uncertainty for manufacturers,families,and healthcare providers who rely on consistent vaccine guidance.The three states reaffirmed their commitment following condemnation earlier this year over Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.'s removal all members from CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.They also highlighted respect for Tribal sovereignty regarding vaccine services.

In coming weeks,the Alliance plans to finalize guiding principles intended to strengthen confidence in vaccines while ensuring regional coordination amidst ongoing concerns over federal leadership's approach.