LAC DPH Health Advisory:

Updates to Fall 2025 Respiratory Virus Vaccine Recommendations in California

October 2, 2025

Correction posted: October 3, 2025

Correction (10/3/25): The original version of this HAN (released 10/2/25) contained an error in the Key Messages section. It incorrectly stated that RSV vaccine recommendations remain unchanged. In fact, recommendations have been expanded to include adults aged 50–59 years with risk factors. This has been corrected in the current version.

Key Messages

Situation

In June 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 standing members of the ACIP, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest. However, previous reports found no evidence of such issues. New members were appointed, including individuals who have publicly questioned aspects of vaccine policy.

The changes at ACIP coincided with broader leadership shifts at the CDC, including the dismissal of the Director and the resignation of several senior officials. Some of these officials expressed concerns about the agency’s direction and the influence of politics on public health decisions.

During this time of uncertainty and confusion regarding vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, CDPH released its vaccine recommendations (see Consensus WHCA Recommendations below). They were developed in collaboration with the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) partners Oregon, Washington and Hawaii, and informed by national medical organizations including: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Concurrently, AB 144 was signed into law, establishing a baseline for immunization recommendations for California based on the federal ACIP immunization recommendations in effect on January 1, 2025. After this date, CDPH is authorized to update recommendations as needed, taking into consideration emerging science and guidance from professional organizations.

Under AB 144, all vaccines recommended by CDPH must be covered by health insurance regulated by the Department of Managed Care Health Care, including HMOs and Medi-Cal managed care plans. Federal insurance programs such as Medicare and some PPO’s do not fall under this new state law. However, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has committed to covering all ACIP recommended immunizations including updated formulations of COVID-19 vaccines with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026.

Additionally, Providers administering vaccines recommended by CDPH are protected from liability and pharmacists may independently administer immunizations recommended by CDPH to patients three years and older, without a prescription.

Finally, on September 19th, ACIP voted to endorse a model of individual decision making (e.g. shared clinical decision-making) between a patient and their healthcare provider. Although these recommendations do not become federal policy guidance until the acting CDC Director, in the absence of a permanent CDC Director, signs a decision memo, this vote indicates that COVID-19 vaccines will likely be covered by the VFC Program, and there will be no cost-sharing for all individuals aged 6 months and older. ACIP Meeting Slides on COVID-19 vaccines may be found here.

Consensus WCHA 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations

Actions Requested of Providers

Additional Resources

This communication was sent by Dr. Nava Yeganeh, Medical Director, Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.