Northeast States Break with Federal Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination

Strategic Insights -

The states of Maine, New York, and Massachusetts, along with the city of New York, have partnered to develop evidence-based vaccine and public health recommendations amidst changing federal guidance. This coalition, called the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, aims to improve access to vaccines and medicines, build public trust in science and health care, and respond faster to health emergencies. The move comes as the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been criticized for being politicized and undermining the nation's public health system.

Key Takeaways:

  • Maine has joined a coalition of northeast states and New York City to develop evidence-based vaccine and public health recommendations, effectively allowing them to issue alternative guidance on COVID-19 vaccines.
  • The coalition, called the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, all except Vermont led by Democrats.
  • The collaborative was announced by Maine officials as the federal vaccine advisory group, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), met to discuss guidance on COVID-19 shot access and childhood vaccines.
  • ACIP provides guidance to the CDC director on how vaccines should be used, and can determine the future of common vaccines like the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and COVID-19 booster shots.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticized for appointing panelists who question the safety of established and evidence-based vaccines.
  • The northeast collaborative has formed working groups to identify opportunities for collaboration in areas including public health emergency preparedness and response, vaccine recommendations and purchasing, data collection and analysis, infectious disease, epidemiology, and laboratory capacity and services.
  • Maine's Governor Janet Mills has announced a directive to allow everyone to access the 2025-26 COVID-19 shot without a prescription, going against federal guidance.
  • The FDA has approved the shots for those at greatest risk for getting seriously ill from COVID, including seniors at least 65 years old or those with health conditions.

Statistics:

  • The coalition includes 7 states and 1 city, with all except Vermont led by Democrats.
  • ACIP provides guidance to the CDC director on how vaccines should be used, and can determine the future of common vaccines like the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and COVID-19 booster shots.
  • The FDA has approved the shots for approximately 30% of the US population (over 65 years old or with certain health conditions).
  • Maine's standing order allows everyone to access the 2025-26 COVID-19 shot without a prescription.

Sources:

  • Maine Morning Star: "Maine Partners with Northeast States on Vaccine, Public Health Recommendations"
  • Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): Meeting to discuss guidance on COVID-19 shot access and childhood vaccines
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Official website
  • Food and Drug Administration: Official website
  • Oregon Capital Chronicle: "West Coast States Recommend COVID Vaccine Amid CDC Turmoil"
  • Maine Morning Star: "Gov. Mills Issues Standing Order to Make COVID Vaccines Available to Mainers Without Prescription"