States Move to Protect Vaccines Amid Mandate Removal Attempts

With Florida moving to become the first state to eliminate school vaccine mandates, some states are considering following its lead while others are pledging to safeguard vaccine access for both children and adults.

Florida’s announcement on Wednesday, alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s push for anti-vaccine policies, has deepened the debate over mandates — a long-standing tool in combating infectious diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that approximately 4 million deaths are prevented worldwide each year through childhood vaccinations. While most Americans still believe children should be vaccinated to attend school, fewer adults now view these immunizations as important, and routine childhood vaccination rates are declining.

Here is how different states are responding:

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, announced Thursday that insurance carriers will be required to cover vaccinations recommended by the state’s public health department, regardless of federal approval. Healey emphasized her goal is to ensure residents can access the vaccines they choose. These include standard childhood shots such as measles, chickenpox, and Hepatitis B. She also noted that Massachusetts is leading a bipartisan coalition of eight Northeastern states working to coordinate vaccine recommendations.

Democratic governors in Washington, Oregon, and California said this week they have formed an alliance to create their own recommendations for who should receive vaccines. Their joint statement said the states will coordinate immunization strategies using science-based evidence from respected national medical organizations.

In Illinois, the state health department plans to release guidance by the end of September to help residents and healthcare providers make informed vaccine decisions, with input from medical experts.

In New Mexico, pharmacists have been authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines based on state health guidelines rather than waiting on federal recommendations. Health Secretary Gina DeBlassie said, “New Mexico cannot afford to wait for the federal government to act on this matter.” CVS announced it will stock the vaccines in its pharmacies across the state as soon as possible.

Pennsylvania’s pharmacy board voted this week to protect access to COVID-19 vaccines statewide, a move supported by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, also a Democrat, directed health officials to ensure residents can get vaccinated. A new order that took effect Friday allows pharmacists to administer vaccines without requiring individual prescriptions.

Washington state health leaders issued a similar order to expand COVID-19 vaccine access for most residents.