Oregon health leaders say West Coast alliance stepped in after abrupt federal vaccine shifts

Oregon Health Authority Director Dr. Sejal Hathi told the House Interim Committee on Healthcare that a series of rapid federal actions this summer upended long‑standing vaccine policy and left providers and patients unsure who was eligible for COVID‑19 vaccines. "This wasn't based on any new data," Hathi said, describing a May move by federal leadership and later actions affecting ACIP and emergency authorizations.

The state’s response was to form the West Coast Health Alliance with Washington, California and Hawaii, Hathi said, to deliver "clear evidence‑based information that empowered the people of Oregon to protect their health," and to ensure low‑barrier access to recommended vaccines this respiratory season. The alliance issued joint recommendations aligning with national medical organizations and urged that COVID‑19 vaccines remain available to anyone who wants protection while prioritizing those at highest risk.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Seidlinger said the alliance adopted pediatric recommendations from professional societies and emphasized the public health rationale for vaccinating young children and pregnant people. "Being vaccinated during pregnancy not only protects the mother, but can pass on antibodies to the infant," Seidlinger said, summarizing evidence on reduced hospitalization for infants when immunized interventions are used.

Officials outlined coordinated state actions issued Sept. 17: OHA published the alliance recommendations and consumer FAQs; Medicaid coverage guidance was amended to require coverage of alliance‑recommended vaccines; the Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a bulletin ordering state‑regulated plans to continue covering COVID vaccines without cost‑sharing; the Board of Pharmacy drafted rules expanding pharmacist authority; and medical and nursing boards issued provider FAQs limiting disciplinary risk for following alliance guidance.

Committee members pressed presenters on safety monitoring and how adverse events are reported. Seidlinger explained the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and vaccine information sheets, noting that VIS materials and active surveillance systems are used to investigate safety signals.

Hathi framed the alliance’s work as a response to federal uncertainty. "By standing shoulder to shoulder with our West Coast partners, we send a powerful signal: in our states, public health remains rooted in science, not in politics," she said.

The committee followed the presentation with brief questions and thanked the witnesses. The vaccine update closed before the hearing moved to HR1 implementation.