WASHINGTON STATE — In June, 2025, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidelines, reducing the number of recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11. Despite the reduction, vaccines like chickenpox, whooping cough, polio and MMR remain staples. The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), whose members were appointed by Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr., initially proposed these changes. However, some organizations, including the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, questioned the credentials of those appointed to the ACIP committee. Governor Bob Ferguson alongside other Washington leaders are calling for legislators to approve Senate Bill 5967.Beth Ebel, a pediatrician from Seattle, shared her personal experience with the importance of vaccinations. “Before effective vaccination, my newborn sister died from an overwhelming infection before she was one month old. I became a pediatrician with the promise and conviction that these deaths and illnesses were preventable. And they are,” she said.
Ebel, along with other health professionals in Washington, is advocating for the state to adhere to the CDC’s original vaccine recommendations.
Caitlin Safford, a senior policy advisor for healthcare, public health and behavioral health, explained the purpose of a new bill. “The purpose of this bill is to provide more flexibility for the Department of Health to develop recommendations for adult and childhood vaccine schedules based on a variety of expert sources and not rely entirely on federal authorities to determine those recommendations,” said Safford.
Pediatric fellow Nina Gummadi emphasized the life-saving nature of vaccines. “I cared for a little boy like this. His liver failed after he caught a vaccine preventable virus. Although he underwent a liver transplant, he suffered many complications and after almost two years of living in the hospital, he died from liver failure,” said Gummadi.
If passed, SB5967 would not require Washingtonians to be fully vaccinated, but it would ensure coverage for these vaccines remains available. Kathy Maccaul, Washington AARP Director Advocate, said, “It could become one of the most impactful pieces of legislation for older adults in this session.”
During a public hearing, some voiced concerns about Washington authorizing an agency to issue recommendations not aligned with the CDC. “Reduces transparency of vaccine recommendations and doesn’t include any resources required to replace the federal agency recommendations,” said one attendee.
Bob Runnels, from Informed Choice Washington, expressed his concerns about potential confusion for families. “Idaho and Florida have ended vaccine mandates. It was just announced that ten other states will work to do the same. So drop the mandates. Let take an honest look at the science,” said Runnels.
Washington Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham defended the bill, emphasizing its scientific basis. “Evidence based decision making is critical to public safety. Particular, as we’re seeing a rise in vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and pertussis, not only here in Washington but across the country,” said Worsham.
However, the CDC still recommends the MMR vaccine for measles, but not for pertussis, which is more commonly known as whooping cough.
Others have raised objections, pointing to the relationship between vaccine culture and pharmaceutical companies. Natalie Chavez, in her public testimonial, said, “Ever since 1986, the AP has largely been in the vaccine promotion business. It’s also worth noting that the AP received over $34 million of tax money during the 2023 fiscal year, according to the AARP’s most recent tax disclosure.”
