State issues respiratory virus immunization guidance
– The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued updated immunization recommendations this week in alignment with West Coast Health Alliance partners Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The guidance comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 144, ensuring insurance coverage and access to vaccines across pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers.
CDPH officials emphasized that immunization is safe, effective, and the best protection against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The department said seasonal immunization also reduces serious illness, community transmission, and strain on health care systems.
“We want the people who live and work in our states to know that there is a strong public health, health care and scientific community that will continue to stand together to provide and use the data and evidence needed for them to make healthy choices, and we are here to protect our communities,” said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH director and state public health officer.
CDPH immunization recommendations
COVID-19: CDPH recommends immunization for all children 6 to 23 months, all children 2 to 18 years with risk factors or who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, all children with close contact with others with risk factors, and all children whose families choose protection. Adults recommended include all age 65 or older, all 18 to 64 with risk factors, all with close contact with others with risk factors, and any who choose protection. CDPH also recommends vaccination for those planning pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, and lactating individuals.
Influenza: CDPH recommends immunization for all children 6 months or older, all adults 18 years or older, and all planning, pregnant, postpartum, and lactating individuals.
RSV: CDPH recommends immunization for all children 8 months or younger, and for all children 8 to 19 months with risk factors. Adults recommended include all 75 years or older and all 50 to 74 years with risk factors. CDPH also recommends vaccination for those pregnant between 32 and 36 weeks gestational age.
A list of risk factors is available on CDPH’s Public Health For All webpage.
Coverage and availability
CDPH said the recommended vaccines will continue to be covered by California-regulated health care insurers and can be received at local pharmacies, from health care providers or through other authorized vaccine providers at no cost. To schedule an appointment, residents may contact their health care provider, local pharmacy or visit myturn.ca.gov.
Changes to state law
Assembly Bill 144 made several changes to state law:
- References to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were expanded to include other nationally recognized medical and scientific organizations.
- CDPH was authorized to modify or expand the list of recommended immunizations based on science and evidence-based guidance.
- Insurance coverage by California-regulated plans continues for recommended immunizations at no cost.
- Pharmacists and other health professionals may continue to administer recommended immunizations.
