Ten Northeastern States Form Collaborative to Counter Federal Vaccine Policy Changes

On September 18, 2025, ten northeastern U.S. states—New York, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Vermont—along with New York City, announced the formation of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. This coalition aims to coordinate public health guidelines independently from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focusing on sharing expertise, improving coordination, enhancing capacity, strengthening regional readiness, and promoting evidence-based public health practices.

The establishment of this collaborative comes in response to recent federal vaccine policy changes under the Trump administration, particularly actions by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic. Since his confirmation in February 2025, Kennedy has initiated several controversial changes within federal health agencies. These include plans to review the childhood vaccination schedule, suspension of certain CDC vaccine promotion campaigns, and restructuring of advisory panels on vaccine approvals.

The Northeast Public Health Collaborative plans to issue independent vaccine recommendations, especially concerning COVID-19, to ensure equitable access to vaccines and maintain public trust in science-based medicine. This move reflects a significant shift in public health governance, with states taking independent action in response to federal policy changes.

This is not the first instance of regional collaboration in public health. Similar initiatives, such as the West Coast Health Alliance, have been formed to coordinate health policies across state lines. However, the Northeast Public Health Collaborative's focus on issuing independent vaccine recommendations in response to federal policy changes is a notable development.

The formation of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative underscores the importance of maintaining public trust in science-based medicine and ensuring equitable access to vaccines. The collaborative's efforts may influence public perception of vaccine safety and efficacy, potentially affecting vaccination rates and public health outcomes in the region.