Governor Kotek Responds to Trump EO that Undermines Proven Childhood Vaccines

Salem, OR - Governor Tina Kotek reaffirmed that Oregon will continue to follow evidence-based guidance from the nation's leading medical organizations on childhood immunizations, despite a recent executive order from President Donald Trump seeking to disrupt the nation's long-standing approach to vaccine recommendations. Yesterday, the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) endorsed child and adolescent immunization schedules as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"I worked across state lines to establish the West Coast Health Alliance to make sure public health policies are grounded in science. Once again, we are seeing exactly why this multistate partnership matters," Governor Kotek said. "President Trump is playing politics with something that should never be political: keeping children healthy and protecting families from preventable disease. I trust medical and public health professionals to provide guidance to parents about vaccines."

Governor Kotek established the West Coast Health Alliance with the governors of Washington, California, and Hawaii to strengthen collaboration among the states on shared public health challenges and promote evidence-based approaches that protect the health of West Coast communities. The Alliance brings the states together to share expertise, coordinate on public health priorities, and ensure that residents benefit from the best available science and medical guidance.