The three West Coast states plus Hawaii that have formed a health alliance announced new vaccine recommendations for the respiratory virus season.

The new guidance goes further than federal recommendations by encouraging COVID-19 shots for anyone 6 months and older who wants them.

The move is the latest in a series of steps by Oregon and other Democratic-led states to chart their own course on immunization policy, particularly around COVID-19 vaccines, rather than relying solely on federal recommendations. State leaders formed the West Coast Health Alliance earlier this month to keep vaccine policy rooted in science rather than politics.

The governors of Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii said their new recommendations closely follow guidance from major medical groups, includin

See Full Page