States move to protect vaccines in the face of attempts to remove
mandates
[September 06, 2025]
Now that Florida is taking steps to be the first state to get rid of
school vaccine mandates, some states are looking at following its lead
while others are promising to protect vaccines for children and adults.
Florida's announcement Wednesday along with U.S. Health Secretary Robert
F. Kennedy's attempts to advance anti-vaccine policies have widened the
debate over vaccine mandates — long a centerpiece of fighting infectious
diseases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said roughly 4
million deaths are prevented annually worldwide by childhood
vaccinations.
While most Americans say kids should be vaccinated to attend school,
adults nationwide are now less likely to think those immunizations are
important. At the same time, routine childhood vaccine rates are
falling.
Here is a rundown of what states are saying about vaccine mandates:
Massachusetts moves to protect access
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey governor issued a bulletin Thursday saying
insurance carriers will be required to cover vaccinations recommended by
the state’s department of public health regardless of whether they are
endorsed by the federal government. Healey said she wants to make sure
residents can afford the vaccines they want.
Vaccinations that Massachusetts insurers would be required to cover
include routine shots for children, like measles, chickenpox and
Hepatitis B. Healey said her state is also leading a bipartisan
coalition of eight Northeast states that met over the summer to discuss
coordinating vaccine recommendations.
West Coast governors band together
The Democratic governors in Washington, Oregon and California announced
this week that they have created an alliance to establish their own
recommendations for who should receive vaccines. They plan to coordinate
their vaccine recommendations and immunization plans based on
science-based evidence from respected national medical organizations,
according to a joint statement.
[to top of second column]
|
Co-owner Marc Ost at Eric's Rx Shoppe, and Michelle Santo unpack and
log a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines at the store in Horsham, Pa.,
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
 Illinois seeks advice from
medical experts
The state health department said it plans to issue specific guidance
by the end of September that will help health care providers and
residents make informed decisions about vaccinations. The health
director said the department will consult with medical experts.
New Mexico gives the green light to vaccines
Pharmacists have received the go-ahead to administer COVID-19 shots
based on state health department guidelines rather than just the
federal government’s immunization advisory committee. Health
Secretary Gina DeBlassie said Friday in a statement that New Mexico
“cannot afford to wait for the federal government to act on this
matter.”
Drugstore giant CVS responded by saying it will ensure the shots are
in its pharmacies across the state as soon as possible.
Pennsylvania, Colorado and Washington protect COVID-19 shots
Pennsylvania's pharmacy board voted this week to protect the
availability of COVID-19 vaccines for those most in need and make it
accessible across the state, at the urging of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also directed health officials to make
sure residents are able to be vaccinated against the virus. A new
order that went into effect Friday allows pharmacists to provide the
vaccines without individual prescriptions.
Health leaders in Washington state issued a similar order covering
COVID-19 shots for most residents.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
