west Coast States to Independently Review Vaccine Recommendations Amidst CDC Concerns
Oregon and other states within the West Coast Health Alliance are taking steps to independently evaluate vaccine recommendations issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), going beyond simply accepting the recommendations at face value. Dr. Paul Sidelinger of Oregon stated the alliance will scrutinize the data and rationale behind ACIP decisions to determine if they align with scientific evidence.
This move stems from growing concerns about the influence of politics on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Sidelinger expressed skepticism that recommendations are currently driven by a purely evidence-based process, prompting Oregon to prepare a statement and possibly issue its own guidance on specific vaccines.
These concerns were echoed by interviewer Miller, who highlighted anxieties that a Democratic-led alliance could further politicize vaccine discussions. Miller questioned the long-term strategy for rebuilding bipartisan trust in public health initiatives.
Dr. sidelinger acknowledged the risk of deepening divisions but emphasized the importance of continuing dialog. He differentiated between the political leadership at federal health agencies and the dedicated scientists and employees within the CDC and FDA who remain committed to scientific principles.
He framed the states’ actions as preserving individual choice, ensuring Oregon residents have access to and can freely choose COVID-19 vaccines. He cited feedback from Dr. Liz Powers, a physician in Wallowa County, a more conservative region of Oregon, who stressed the importance of vaccine access for her patients.
Dr. sidelinger underscored the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe illness and preserving hospital capacity for all medical needs. He acknowledged that restoring public trust in the CDC and ACIP, institutions he described as previously “extremely well-respected,” will be a lengthy process following a period of significant “polarization and politicization.”