The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released new immunization guidance for the upcoming respiratory virus season. This move aligns with recommendations from West Coast Health Alliance partners, including Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The updated guidance follows recent legislative changes aimed at maintaining insurance coverage and ensuring access to vaccines through pharmacies, clinics, and other health care providers.
State officials emphasized that immunization remains a safe and effective method to protect against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. They noted that seasonal vaccination is an important tool for reducing serious illness, limiting community transmission, and preventing strain on health care systems.
This week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 144 into law. The bill ensures that CDPH’s immunization recommendations are guided by evidence-based scientific input from national medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The new recommendations also reflect the principles shared by states in the West Coast Health Alliance. A key objective among these states is to keep vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV accessible.
“Californians deserve clear, science-based recommendations and access to immunizations to protect themselves from vaccine-preventable disease. Changes to state law will maintain insurance coverage and ensure access to vaccines across pharmacies, clinics, and other health care providers,” according to CDPH.
