ALBANY, NY — New York is joining forces with a coalition of Northeastern states to counter federal rollbacks on immunizations. Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the release of New York State’s 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine guidance, issued in coordination with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a regional bloc that includes New York City as well as the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland. In total, more than 60 million people reside in the area.
“By standing with our partners across the Northeast, we are ensuring that New Yorkers have the protection and the information they need to stay safe and healthy,” the governor said in a statement.
The guidance recommends vaccination for all children ages 6 months through 18 years and all adults, with additional emphasis on those at higher risk, including pregnant and lactating individuals and people who are immunocompromised.
“Vaccines remain one of the strongest tools we have to safeguard our families and our communities,” Hochul said. “By standing with our partners across the Northeast, we are ensuring that New Yorkers have the protection and the information they need to stay safe and healthy.”
Protecting Access Amid Federal Rollbacks
The recommendations, which expand eligibility beyond current federal limits, come ahead of this week’s meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). They are consistent with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
“As Washington continues to launch its misguided attacks on science, New York is making it clear that every resident will have access to the Covid vaccine and the health care they rely on,” Hochul said.
Earlier this month, Hochul signed an executive order authorizing pharmacists to prescribe and administer COVID vaccines, and her administration has directed insurers to continue covering immunizations. “Vaccines save lives, and this guidance ensures every New Yorker, from our youngest children to those at highest risk, has safe, reliable access to the COVID vaccine. We are standing firm on our commitment to protecting the health of every New Yorker,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
The Northeast alliance mirrors the West Coast Health Alliance, where California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii have also rejected federal policy shifts in favor of regionally coordinated, science-based recommendations.
Thorvardur de Shong
