Seven Northeast states and New York City have formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NPHC) to make evidence-based public health recommendations—including on vaccines—while Vermont and the District of Columbia are the latest US jurisdictions to announce safeguards for access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The moves come as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken steps to limit COVID vaccine access and has questioned the importance of several childhood vaccines.
Collaborations began early this year
A news release announcing the NPHC says that officials in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York City have been collaborating since early 2025 but formally announced the collaborative yesterday. Earlier this month several West Coast governors formed a similar alliance.
“The Collaborative’s shared purpose is to work together in new ways … to ensure trust in public health, respond to public health threats, advance community health and strengthen confidence in vaccines and science-based medicine,” according to the release on the NPHC. “The group’s shared goal is to protect the health, safety and well-being of all residents by providing information based on science, data, and evidence, while working to ensure equitable access to vaccines, medications, and services.”
We must always protect our public health infrastructure, reject misinformation, and maintain trust in science.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said, “In a time of significant change in public health, we have benefited from the enhanced collaborations between our jurisdictions.”
New York City Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse, MD, MPH, added, “We must always protect our public health infrastructure, reject misinformation, and maintain trust in science.”
Vermont, DC ensure COVID vaccine access
Meanwhile, Vermont Governor Phil Scott and the state Department of Health yesterday announced steps to ensure access to COVID vaccines through primary care providers and pharmacies. “This order is a necessary step to make sure those who want a vaccine, can get one,” he said.
At least 17 other states have taken similar steps.
In addition, the Washington, DC, city council this week passed legislation that allows DC residents to get COVID vaccines from local pharmacies without a prescription.
