California has issued new, independent vaccine recommendations to ensure residents continue to have broad access to immunizations despite more restrictive federal rules.

The guidance, released by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health leaders, recommends that all Californians ages 6 months and older receive this season’s updated COVID-19 shot. It was developed in collaboration with Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii through the newly formed West Coast Health Alliance, and informed by trusted medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

A new state law, Assembly Bill 144, guarantees that most health insurance plans regulated by California — including Medi-Cal — must cover state-endorsed vaccines at no cost to patients. Pharmacists are also authorized to independently prescribe and administer these vaccines, making access easier for families throughout the state.

California’s action follows the reshaping of federal vaccine advisory bodies under the Kennedy administration, raising concerns about politicization and access restrictions. “Whatever comes out of [the federal committee], our new law is independent of that,” said Dr. Erica Pan, the state’s public health officer.

In addition to COVID-19, the state recommends:

With COVID-19 cases trending upward since July, state leaders say clear, science-based vaccine guidance is essential to protecting Californians.