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Vaccines

Pennsylvania Joins Northeastern States in Public Health Coalition to Overcome Federal Vaccine Restrictions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pennsylvania has joined a half-dozen Northeastern states in forming a public health coalition that will set its own vaccine and health guidelines, responding to changes in federal policy. The move follows several states' actions to bypass federal vaccine restrictions, including new laws, executive orders, and pharmacy board directives. Pennsylvania leaders see this as part of Governor Josh Shapiro's effort to ensure wider vaccine access amid shifting federal vaccine recommendations. The coalition mirrors a similar alliance among West Coast states, developed in response to the politicization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pennsylvania has joined New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island in forming the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to set its own vaccine and health guidelines.
  • The coalition is a response to the Trump administration's policy changes and the politicization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Pennsylvania's Board of Pharmacy has authorized pharmacists to follow recommendations from a broader range of medical authorities beyond the federal government, calling for more comprehensive COVID vaccine access.
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that the state's move aims to skirt CDC guidance and worsens public distrust in federal health agencies.
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisers have declined to recommend the COVID shots for Americans 65 years and older, but said insurance coverage and pharmacy access will continue for those who choose them.
  • Pennsylvania's Department of Health Secretary Debra Bogen has stated that the state will continue to back science in its efforts to ensure Pennsylvanians can make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.

Statistics:

  • Seven Northeastern states have formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
  • Pennsylvania's Board of Pharmacy has authorized pharmacists to follow recommendations from 23 medical authorities.
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that 65% of Americans have received at least one COVID vaccine dose.
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisers have recommended the COVID shots for 75% of Americans below the age of 65.

Sources:

  • [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/launch-northeast-public-health-collaborative](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/launch-northeast-public-health-collaborative)
  • [https://axios.com/2025/09/05/trump-rfk-jr-covid-vaccine-cdc](https://axios.com/2025/09/05/trump-rfk-jr-covid-vaccine-cdc)
  • [https://commonhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-2026-COVID-19-Vaccine-Availability-by-State.pdf](https://commonhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-2026-COVID-19-Vaccine-Availability-by-State.pdf)
  • [https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p](https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/state-board-of-pharmacy-votes-to-protect-vaccine-access-across-p)

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