Major California health insurers side with Newsom and medical groups to cover COVID shots

"Gov. Gavin Newsom, other blue state governors, medical associations and even some top Republicans nationally have expressed concern that the CDC would not root its recommendations in evidence. In the alliance's guidance, those older than 6 months should get vaccinated for COVID-19. That sticks closely to the recommendations of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics."

"And the Washington, D.C. health insurance trade association AHIP announced that its scores of members nationally will continue to cover COVID-19 shots through 2026. The group's members include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente, California's largest private health insurer. Public health officials and doctors had expressed concern that insurers would stop covering the cost of COVID-19 shots for many patients after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration limited eligibility to seniors and younger people with certain medical conditions."

California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii formed the West Coast Health Alliance to issue vaccination guidance for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. The alliance recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone older than six months, aligning with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. AHIP announced that its member insurers will continue covering COVID-19 shots through 2026; its members include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente. Public health officials had worried insurers would stop coverage after the FDA narrowed eligibility. A CDC advisory panel is considering changes to vaccine recommendations while some states and insurers maintain broader guidance.

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