{"id":2146,"date":"2026-01-09T17:14:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hca.venturacounty.gov\/public-health\/?p=2146"},"modified":"2026-01-09T17:17:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:17:25","slug":"joint-statement-from-california-health-and-human-services-leaders-on-vaccine-access-and-availability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hca.venturacounty.gov\/public-health\/2026\/01\/09\/joint-statement-from-california-health-and-human-services-leaders-on-vaccine-access-and-availability\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Statement from California Health and Human Services Leaders on Vaccine Access and Availability"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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For immediate release from CDPH.<\/strong>
Contact: media@cdph.ca.gov<\/p>

What you need to know: <\/strong>California Health and Human Services leaders champion vaccination as a cornerstone of public health.<\/p>

SACRAMENTO<\/strong> \u2013 California Health and Human Services leaders, including Secretary Kim Johnson, Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass, and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Mary Watanabe released the following joint statement:\u200b<\/p>

California has\u00a0long championed vaccination as a cornerstone of public health, recognizing its critical role in preventing severe illness,\u00a0hospitalization,\u00a0and death. Vaccines\u00a0remain\u00a0one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine, supported by overwhelming scientific consensus. They not only protect individuals, but also strengthen community resilience by reducing the spread of infectious\u00a0diseases.<\/p>

California\u00a0and\u00a0American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended vaccines\u00a0will continue to be covered by health plans and insurers regulated by the State of California. Vaccines can be received at no cost from your doctor, some local pharmacies, or other authorized providers. To schedule your vaccine appointment, contact your health care provider or visit\u00a0myturn.ca.gov<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

California\u00a0will continue to emphasize science-based policies that protect families and communities and promote\u00a0universal\u00a0vaccine access.<\/p>

We recently launched the\u00a0West Coast Health Alliance<\/a>\u00a0with our partners in Washington,\u00a0Oregon,\u00a0and Hawaii as a unified regional partnership to uphold scientific integrity in public health and protect residents from politically motivated federal decisions. As part of this commitment, we are reaffirming that our states will continue to follow\u00a0the\u00a0vaccine schedule\u00a0recommended<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),\u00a0rather than adopting the new, arbitrary\u00a0federal schedule that\u00a0reduces the\u00a0number of diseases\u00a0from which it\u00a0recommends protection. The AAP’s guidance is grounded in decades of\u00a0rigorous research and clinical experience, ensuring vaccines remain one of the most effective tools to prevent disease outbreaks and safeguard children’s health.<\/p>

California is committed to reviewing available vaccine science and following credible, independent medical guidance ensuring that every resident has access to safe, effective immunizations that save lives\u2014and keep Californians healthy and strong.<\/p>

Background on California actions to protect coverage of preventive care services:<\/p>