Arizona Gov. Hobbs expresses concern over shifting U.S. vaccine guidance

The Democratic governors of California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii are forming a public health alliance to create their own vaccine recommendations for their states. They say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has become too politicized under the Trump administration.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, also a Democrat, said Wednesday she, too, is concerned about recent changes to vaccine recommendations from the federal government.

In June, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all members of the committee that crafts vaccine recommendations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And last month, the Food and Drug Administration narrowed its guidance for COVID-19 vaccines, saying only those over 65 or those with serious health conditions should get updated COVID-19 shots this year.

When asked about the alliance of West Coast states, Hobbs said, “We’re going to look at the options we have to keep Arizonans safe. That’s certainly an option.”

But insurers will likely still follow federal guidance when it comes to which vaccines they will pay for regardless of what states do, said Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

“It may change who can get the vaccine a little bit in those states. But in terms of broad policy it has to be — it's a national thing because reimbursement is tied nationally to the Vaccines for Children program and the Affordable Care Act in terms of what health plans are required to cover,” Humble told KJZZ’s “The Show.”