California, Oregon, Washington Form Alliance to Safeguard Vaccine Guidance Amid CDC Turmoil

California, Oregon, and Washington have formed the West Coast Health Alliance to shield vaccine guidance and public health policies from political interference amid turmoil at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The three Democratic governors criticized Trump's mass firing of CDC scientists and the agency's politicization, calling it a direct threat to public health, especially as Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, reshapes the CDC by removing key advisory committee members and appointing individuals who have spread vaccine misinformation. The alliance aims to provide unified, science-based vaccine recommendations aligned with respected national medical organizations, ensuring consistent and credible public health information for residents regardless of federal shifts. This coalition was formed following the controversial firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who clashed with Kennedy and was replaced by a Trump loyalist without a scientific background, leading to resignations and widespread concern. The West Coast Health Alliance represents a pushback against what the states describe as the federal administration's erosion of the CDC’s scientific integrity and credibility. Officials emphasized their commitment to science-driven health policy to prevent illness and protect public safety amid fears that politicized federal policies could have severe health consequences.