In response to the federal government’s changes to vaccine policies, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized the state to seek out its own future guidance when recommending public immunizations and health care.
Newsom signed Assembly Bill 144 (AB 144) into law on Sept. 17, making the change official as he continues to separate the state from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new law also mandates state funding for transgender treatments and abortions.
AB 144 allows the state to establish vaccines and preventive health care recommendations by using independent authorities instead of the CDC, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Health Resources and Services Administration….