California and fellow West Coast states have officially rejected the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest vaccine guidelines, marking a rare split between state and federal public health policy.
The move follows a controversial overhaul at the CDC led by Trump-appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Critics say the new federal targets shift too suddenly and could create confusion for local clinics.
State health directors argue that the CDC’s revised timeline for booster shots and updated eligibility criteria don’t align with on-the-ground rollout plans in major urban centers along the Pacific coast.
Observers warn this standoff could set a precedent for more states to challenge federal guidance on COVID-19 measures, with potential ripple effects on vaccine equity and overall preparedness.
CGTN’s Ediz Tiyansan reports.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
