In a bold move that underscores the growing rift between state and federal health policy, seven northeastern states and New York City have united to form the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. Announced on September 18 and 19, 2025, this regional coalition aims to issue independent vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts, directly countering recent policy shifts under the Trump administration. The coalition’s emergence is the latest in a series of state-led initiatives challenging federal guidance, particularly on vaccine access and recommendations.
The Northeast Public Health Collaborative brings together Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York City. According to Newsmax, representatives from these states’ health departments convened in Rhode Island in August to hammer out the specifics of the partnership. Their shared goal: to ensure that science-driven, nonpartisan health guidance remains accessible to residents, regardless of federal policy changes.
This new coalition closely mirrors the West Coast Health Alliance, a similar bloc formed earlier in 2025 by California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. The West Coast group pledged to share public health information and guarantee that their residents “receive credible information free from political interference,” as reported by The Hill. The Northeast’s decision to follow suit signals a broader trend among Democrat-led states to assert autonomy in public health matters, especially as the Trump administration’s stance on vaccines and global health strategy continues to diverge from established medical consensus.
At the heart of the Northeast coalition’s agenda is a set of vaccine recommendations that break from the latest federal guidance. The group advises COVID-19 vaccination for infants and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months, for all adults 19 and older, and for healthy children and adolescents between 2 and 18 if parents choose it. This approach stands in stark contrast to the policy announced in late May by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who removed COVID-19 vaccines from the routine recommendation schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. Federal guidance now focuses on annual COVID-19 shots for those 65 and older or individuals with underlying health conditions, effectively narrowing the scope of recommended recipients.
Despite the federal changes, the Department of Health and Human Services has clarified that COVID-19 vaccines remain available for older adults and at-risk populations, and can still be accessed by younger, healthy individuals in certain circumstances—though insurance coverage and availability may be more limited. Still, the shift has raised concerns among state leaders and public health advocates who fear that reduced federal emphasis could undermine vaccination rates and public trust.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey made the state’s position clear in a statement on September 18, affirming, “We are not going to let Donald Trump or Robert Kennedy take away your ability to make your own health care decisions.” She added, “Massachusetts will continue to lead with science and protect access to life-saving vaccines. We are taking this action today so the people of Massachusetts know that you will continue to be able to get the vaccines you want and need—no matter what happens at the federal level.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of vaccine access and scientific integrity. “Vaccines remain one of the strongest tools we have to safeguard our families and our communities,” she declared. “As Washington continues to launch its misguided attacks on science, New York is making it clear that every resident will have access to the COVID vaccine, no exceptions. By standing with our partners across the Northeast, we are ensuring that New Yorkers have the protection and the information they need to stay safe and healthy.”
The recommendations made by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative are not isolated; they align closely with those issued by major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This consensus underscores the coalition’s commitment to evidence-based practices, even as federal agencies take a more limited approach.
Meanwhile, the West Coast Health Alliance has also forged its own path, recommending that every resident aged 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine this fall. The alliance further advises COVID-19 vaccination for children between 6 months and 2 years and for pregnant women, as well as RSV vaccines for infants younger than 8 months and adults older than 75. Notably, federal health agencies have not moved to change recommendations for flu vaccines or RSV shots, leaving state coalitions to fill the guidance gap for their populations.
These developments unfold against a backdrop of broader political and legal debates. According to Newsmax, the Democratic-controlled Senate has initiated a resolution favoring Palestinian state recognition, reflecting shifting political dynamics even as the Trump administration retains a Republican-led Senate majority. Trump’s administration has also faced contentious legal challenges on issues ranging from Federal Reserve appointments to immigration, federal funding, and local health and criminal justice reforms. The cumulative effect is a landscape of governance marked by sharp policy divergence and a patchwork of state-level responses.
For many observers, the rise of regional health alliances is both a reaction to and a reflection of these broader tensions. The Northeast Public Health Collaborative’s formation is not simply about vaccines; it’s about states asserting their right to protect public health in the face of what they see as insufficient or politicized federal action. As Governor Healey put it, “We are taking this action today so the people of Massachusetts know that you will continue to be able to get the vaccines you want and need—no matter what happens at the federal level.”
Critics of the Trump administration’s approach argue that narrowing vaccine recommendations could erode trust in public health institutions and leave vulnerable populations at risk. Supporters, on the other hand, contend that the new federal guidance reflects a more targeted, risk-based approach, prioritizing resources for those most in need and respecting individual choice for others. The debate is far from settled, and the emergence of state-led coalitions is likely to intensify discussions about the proper balance between federal authority and state autonomy in matters of public health.
As the Northeast Public Health Collaborative begins its work, residents across the region can expect to see continued efforts to provide clear, science-based information—and to ensure that access to vaccines remains robust, regardless of shifting winds in Washington. Whether these coalitions will become a permanent feature of America’s public health landscape remains to be seen, but for now, they represent a determined stand for local control and evidence-driven policy in uncertain times.