west Coast States to Independently Review Vaccine Recommendations โคAmidst CDCโฃ Concerns
Oregon andโข other states within theโ West Coast Health Allianceโ are taking steps to independently evaluate โขvaccine recommendations โissued by the Advisory โCommittee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), going beyond simply โคaccepting the recommendations at face value. Dr. Paul Sidelinger of Oregon stated the alliance willโ scrutinize the โฃdata and rationale behindโ ACIP โฃdecisions to โฃdetermine if โthey align with scientific evidence.
This move stems from growing concerns about the influence of politicsโข on the Centers โfor Diseaseโ Control and โขPrevention (CDC). Dr. Sidelinger expressed skepticism that recommendations are currentlyโ driven by a purely evidence-based process, prompting Oregon to prepare a statement and possibly โขissue its own guidance onโ specific vaccines.
Theseโข concerns were echoed by interviewer Miller, who highlightedโ anxieties that โขa Democratic-ledโฃ alliance couldโข furtherโ politicize vaccine discussions. Miller questioned theโ long-term strategyโ for rebuilding bipartisan โคtrust in public health initiatives.
Dr. sidelinger acknowledged the risk of deepening โฃdivisions but emphasized โthe importance of continuing dialog. He differentiated between the political leadershipโ at federal health agencies and the dedicated scientists and employees within the CDC and FDA โwho remainโค committed to scientific principles.
Heโฃ framed the states’ โactions as preservingโข individual choice, ensuring Oregon residents have access toโข and can โfreely choose COVID-19โข vaccines. Heโ cited feedback fromโค Dr. โฃLiz Powers, a โฃphysician in Wallowa County, a more conservative region โof Oregon, who stressedโฃ the importance of vaccine access for โher patients.
Dr. sidelinger underscored the effectiveness of vaccines inโข preventing severe โillness and preservingโ hospital capacity for all medical needs. He acknowledged that restoring public trust in the CDC and ACIP, institutions โhe described as previously “extremely well-respected,” will โฃbe a lengthy processโ followingโ a period of significant “polarization and politicization.”