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SpankMe

(3,606 posts)
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 03:27 PM Sep 3

California, Oregon and Washington ally on vaccines in rebuke to Trump's CDC

Source: The Guardian

The governors of California, Oregon and Washington announced on Wednesday the creation of a West Coast Health Alliance aimed at safeguarding access to vaccines, amid growing turmoil at the nation’s top public health agency under the leadership of Robert F Kennedy Jr.

The newly formed West Coast Health Alliance will coordinate health guidance across the three states, including evidence-based immunization recommendations. Officials say the effort is intended to provide residents with access to consistent and credible information about vaccines in the absence of reliable federal leadership.

According to the announcement, the alliance will release a set of shared principles in the coming weeks. While the states will share immunization recommendations, they will also pursue independent strategies based on their “unique laws, geographies, histories, and peoples” and with respect to Tribal sovereignty.

Public health officials in California, Oregon and Washington warned of an erosion of trust in vaccines.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/03/west-coast-alliance-trump-rfk-vaccines



This health alliance should go far beyond vaccines. It should be a shadow version of the CDC and should compete with RFK Jr's horrific misinformation spewage in all areas of medicine. This could, and should, be a key element of what has been called "soft secession" where groups of states that can still think create quasi federal agencies that can provide sound policies and recommendations to counter the national government's bullshit. I hope this can be a start to new inter-state compacts where some federal functions are replaced by multi-state agreements. This health alliance should be hiring some of the CDC leaders who have been ousted. We need more Fauci's and fewer RFK Jr's.
43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
California, Oregon and Washington ally on vaccines in rebuke to Trump's CDC (Original Post) SpankMe Sep 3 OP
The northeast states too. C_U_L8R Sep 3 #1
I certainly hope New York will participate! BlueKota Sep 3 #14
NY, NJ and PA are all involved with the New England states on this Mr.WeRP Sep 3 #15
Thank you that's reassuring. BlueKota Sep 3 #20
Damn that imbecile RFK Jr to hell wolfie001 Sep 4 #33
I agree. He's going to be responsible for many deaths. BlueKota Sep 4 #39
Maybe that alliance can expand to other areas. lostincalifornia Sep 3 #2
Like Canada Punx Sep 3 #13
I want Canada to adopt New York BlueKota Sep 3 #21
I want them to adopt Washington State! DebbieCDC Sep 4 #27
There are a lot of regional information sharing groups. But this needs to expand into providing resources erronis Sep 3 #3
well for now, we have to do this kind of shit LymphocyteLover Sep 3 #22
I don't think this will work the way they think it will, then GenThePerservering Sep 3 #23
Ensuring our health and survival is more important than worrying about what a bunch of fascists do or don't want us to Karasu Sep 3 #25
Wholeheartedly agree NJCher Sep 4 #36
That would require too much thought NJCher Sep 4 #34
So I may have to fly to CA to get my flu and COVID shots. CousinIT Sep 3 #4
Good. We need more of this. Fuck mindlessly complying with this unstable, incompetent fascist bullshit. Karasu Sep 3 #5
Every day I am glad I live in CA ,during the tRump years especially. BigmanPigman Sep 3 #6
How soon is it until you're Medicare eligible? Auggie Sep 3 #12
So this will be the new source for accurate health information AllyCat Sep 3 #7
Nice! C Moon Sep 3 #8
Gov. Lujan Grisham: Please get New Mexico included!! BadgerMom Sep 3 #9
The country is splitting apart pfitz59 Sep 3 #10
That was my first thought as well. Queso Delicioso Sep 4 #42
Hopefully this is the beginning of a trend... Fil1957 Sep 3 #11
I should be able to get one in PA... róisín_dubh Sep 3 #16
Great Governor y'all got there! wolfie001 Sep 4 #32
I sincerely hope this medical alliance will include stockpiling of mifepristone and other women's health needs Hekate Sep 3 #17
It probably will NJCher Sep 4 #37
I'm so proud to be a Washingtonian! Aristus Sep 3 #18
So glad I moved to Washington Mysterian Sep 3 #19
Not in the eastern half wolfie001 Sep 4 #31
I'm east of the Cascades Mysterian Sep 4 #41
Keep up the good fight! wolfie001 Sep 4 #43
West Coast best coast once again. tinrobot Sep 3 #24
I dearly hope Gov Green is planning on Hawaii joining. HappyLarge Sep 3 #26
One of the Few Times in My Life I Have Hailed "State's Rights"! The Roux Comes First Sep 4 #28
I love my state. During Covid the west coast states also had an alliance... samnsara Sep 4 #29
These 3 states can be a haven for intellect and science in the face of tRUMPian Nazism wolfie001 Sep 4 #30
RFK Jr. is such a miserable wretch. He wants oasis Sep 4 #35
OUTSTANDING move, Western Governors! Paladin Sep 4 #38
MaddowBlog-To circumvent RFK Jr. on vaccines, Democrats and blue states start getting creative LetMyPeopleVote Sep 4 #40

Mr.WeRP

(965 posts)
15. NY, NJ and PA are all involved with the New England states on this
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 05:41 PM
Sep 3

NH is the only one who did not participate. The Northeast conference also included efforts to backfill the cuts to medicaid.

BlueKota

(4,644 posts)
20. Thank you that's reassuring.
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 08:46 PM
Sep 3

I am only 63 but I am hoping the fact that I am overweight, have high blood pressure, and was born with 25 percent of my left lung diaphragm paralyzed I will still be able to get a Covid Booster. I got Covid in 2020 and my doctor immediately prescribed Paxlovid. So hopefully I will qualify.

BlueKota

(4,644 posts)
39. I agree. He's going to be responsible for many deaths.
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 09:06 AM
Sep 4

Not that he gives a shit about that. I still can't believe he is a Kennedy. Other than a physical resemblance it seems he doesn't share a lot else in common with many of them.

erronis

(21,409 posts)
3. There are a lot of regional information sharing groups. But this needs to expand into providing resources
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 03:34 PM
Sep 3

such as regional drug purchasing alliances.

Of course this fracturing of the federal function is exactly what putin/thiel/rump-vance want. United we stand, ....

GenThePerservering

(3,080 posts)
23. I don't think this will work the way they think it will, then
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 09:23 PM
Sep 3

The powerhouses of this country are aligning and combining our strength. If we did NOT do that, then the axis of evil might get what they want because we would be all be tethered to the weakest (magat) states.

Karasu

(2,003 posts)
25. Ensuring our health and survival is more important than worrying about what a bunch of fascists do or don't want us to
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 11:24 PM
Sep 3

do. Unity isn't possible under fascism, least of all when people can no longer agree on settled science or a shared reality based on objective fact.

NJCher

(41,556 posts)
36. Wholeheartedly agree
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:21 AM
Sep 4

We’re not “under” fascism when we make such working alliances.

IMO—A better word would be transcending fascism.

I personally don’t care much if I’m unified with some red state.

NJCher

(41,556 posts)
34. That would require too much thought
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:10 AM
Sep 4
Of course this fracturing of the federal function is exactly what putin/thiel/rump-vance want. United we stand, ....

With them I don’t think planning goes much beyond impulse of the moment.

This is what’s called “thinking it through” and they have never been able to do that.

Karasu

(2,003 posts)
5. Good. We need more of this. Fuck mindlessly complying with this unstable, incompetent fascist bullshit.
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 03:53 PM
Sep 3

Last edited Wed Sep 3, 2025, 04:58 PM - Edit history (3)

Actually exercise all those states' rights the GOP used to pretend to give a fuck about until they got the fascist government they always dreamed of.

BigmanPigman

(53,837 posts)
6. Every day I am glad I live in CA ,during the tRump years especially.
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 04:17 PM
Sep 3

I wish they'd protect my ACA insur and tax credits. $1000 increase per month starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

AllyCat

(18,236 posts)
7. So this will be the new source for accurate health information
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 04:33 PM
Sep 3

Once online, I wonder if my nurses union can push for our hospital to use this as accurate information to give to patients.

I want to move to Cascadia. Anywhere there. I want to move.

Queso Delicioso

(116 posts)
42. That was my first thought as well.
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 04:01 PM
Sep 4

At least, that some states are starting to go their own way. On the one hand I hate it, but on the other, it's a matter of self-preservation.

róisín_dubh

(12,139 posts)
16. I should be able to get one in PA...
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 06:15 PM
Sep 3

Thanks to Gov Shapiro and the State Board of pharmacy. So far I can’t schedule it with CVS, but I’ll just go there tomorrow and ask for it. I’m a former smoker and can’t get it in the UK yet.

Hekate

(99,607 posts)
17. I sincerely hope this medical alliance will include stockpiling of mifepristone and other women's health needs
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 07:29 PM
Sep 3

This is such good news

Aristus

(70,971 posts)
18. I'm so proud to be a Washingtonian!
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 07:30 PM
Sep 3

I wonder if this is a possible step toward the establishment of the Republic of Cascadia.

wolfie001

(6,223 posts)
31. Not in the eastern half
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 07:36 AM
Sep 4

"Alabama" haters out there for the most part. We have them here in the far east and west in Maryland. Orange fat imbecile has his cult in every state. 🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

Mysterian

(5,952 posts)
41. I'm east of the Cascades
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 11:41 AM
Sep 4

Still sane and fuck the fascists. I'll be here to help drive them the fuck out.

HappyLarge

(71 posts)
26. I dearly hope Gov Green is planning on Hawaii joining.
Wed Sep 3, 2025, 11:59 PM
Sep 3

I have elderly patients and small children. It’s a combo that need immunizations.

The Roux Comes First

(1,861 posts)
28. One of the Few Times in My Life I Have Hailed "State's Rights"!
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 12:41 AM
Sep 4

And it is in the sincere hope that this will be a short-term band-aid until we end the insanity of the Greed Party, who already as individual states are receiving far more federal welfare than their tax contributions warrant.

samnsara

(18,633 posts)
29. I love my state. During Covid the west coast states also had an alliance...
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 07:15 AM
Sep 4

.. I will never move from the west coast unless its to canada

wolfie001

(6,223 posts)
30. These 3 states can be a haven for intellect and science in the face of tRUMPian Nazism
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 07:34 AM
Sep 4

I suggest they start mobilizing and getting their message out! To the world! 💙 From Maryland!!!

oasis

(52,950 posts)
35. RFK Jr. is such a miserable wretch. He wants
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:12 AM
Sep 4

most Americans to wallow in similar misery. He has a demonic personality.

Paladin

(31,678 posts)
38. OUTSTANDING move, Western Governors!
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 09:00 AM
Sep 4

This ought to serve as an anti-Rfk jr. template, all over the country. Far and away trump's worst appointment (although there's plenty of competition).

LetMyPeopleVote

(170,353 posts)
40. MaddowBlog-To circumvent RFK Jr. on vaccines, Democrats and blue states start getting creative
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 10:34 AM
Sep 4

Ideally, the United States wouldn’t have a patchwork public health system, but the Trump administration hasn’t left blue states with much of a choice.

The list of blue states (or at least states led by Dems) circumventing RFK Jr and Trump on vaccines and public health keeps growing:
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
- Massachusetts
- Illinois
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania

This shouldn't be necessary, but here we are. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-09-04T13:02:43.631Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/circumvent-rfk-jr-vaccines-democrats-blue-states-start-getting-creativ-rcna229022

Ideally, the United States wouldn’t have a patchwork public health system, with different vaccine recommendations depending on where Americans live. But with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking a sledgehammer to the federal system, once-trusted public health departments reeling under politically imposed chaos and Republican-led states moving in radical and dangerous directions, the national system that has existed for decades without controversy has been rendered unsustainable.

And so, reality-based officials are having to get creative.

NBC News reported, for example, on three West Coast states forging a new public health alliance to provide “credible information” about vaccine safety to the public.

The governors of California, Oregon and Washington announced Wednesday that they were working to provide unified recommendations to ‘ensure residents remain protected by science, not politics.’ The action comes after months of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the firing of the agency’s director last week.


The Democratic governors — Washington’s Bob Ferguson, Oregon’s Tina Kotek and California’s Gavin Newsom — warned that the public would likely face “severe” consequences if the CDC becomes “a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science.”,,,,,,

What’s more, they’re not alone. The New Republic’s Greg Sargent reported last week:

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s health department in Illinois is currently exploring the possibility of purchasing Covid-19 vaccines in bulk straight from manufacturers in response to the mess in Washington, a senior Illinois health official confirms to me. Meanwhile, a coalition of mostly blue states led by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is planning to coordinate on the purchase and distribution of pediatric vaccines, should the federal government restrict access to them, according to a source familiar with ongoing discussions.


Indeed, The Boston Globe reported this week that Healey “essentially wrote a prescription for Covid shots for every person in the state over the age of 5, a move that would blunt potential federal restrictions on Covid boosters.”....

Dr. Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota vaccine expert who heads a project to help states and professional societies make science-based vaccine recommendations, told the Globe this week, “This is one of the most dangerous times that public health has faced in the last 50 years.”
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