by Staff Writer
Maryland has officially joined a bipartisan coalition of Northeastern states that are establishing their own public health guidelines in response to increasingly restrictive federal vaccine policies under the Trump administration.
As a new member of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, Maryland joins Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York City.
This alliance is focused on creating science-driven vaccine recommendations and promoting equitable healthcare access across all participating jurisdictions.
“The Maryland Department of Health continues to explore all options to ensure broad vaccine access,” a department spokesperson said Thursday. “Part of this effort includes joining the bipartisan Northeast Public Health Collaborative where Maryland will partner with other states and jurisdictions to help protect the health, safety and well-being of our communities.
“This collaborative will make decisions based on scientific evidence and strive to ensure equitable access to quality health care.”
Discussions around forming this regional alliance began early in Donald Trump’s second term, but the effort was officially launched this week amid growing concern over the direction of federal vaccine policy under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy has publicly questioned the safety and effectiveness of several vaccines, including the COVID-19 shot. Recent changes in federal guidance—particularly the narrowing of eligibility for the latest COVID-19 vaccine to seniors and immunocompromised individuals—have raised fears that broader access could be limited.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is currently reviewing new recommendations that could determine which vaccines remain covered by insurance. The committee’s vote, scheduled for Friday, could reshape access for millions.
In anticipation of these changes, Maryland lawmakers and health officials have taken proactive steps to maintain vaccine access. In May, Governor Wes Moore signed legislation requiring insurers to continue covering vaccines recommended by ACIP as of December 2024. The law took effect June 1 and is intended to shield Maryland residents from potential rollbacks in vaccine coverage at the federal level.
“This protects against the withdrawal of vaccine coverage for a range of illnesses, not just COVID-19,” according to a recent statement from the governor’s office.
The Northeast Public Health Collaborative has already issued its own set of COVID-19 vaccination recommendations, closely aligned with guidance from major medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Notably, these recommendations diverge from the federal position and advocate for broader access, especially for young children and those in high-risk groups.
With the federal government shifting its vaccine policies, Maryland’s move reflects a growing state-level pushback designed to uphold access to essential public health services.
