PP Language Lessons
MediumHealthSeptember 18, 2025

States Unite to Protect Vaccines: A Regional Health Partnership

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Key Vocabulary

collaborative

A partnership where people or organizations work together.
Example: The collaborative will share data across states.

immunization

The process of protecting people from disease with vaccines.
Example: Yearly immunization campaigns help protect children.

standing order

A written instruction that allows health workers to give a vaccine without a new prescription each time.
Example: The standing order lets pharmacists give the COVID-19 vaccine.

pharmacist

A trained health professional who dispenses medicines and often gives vaccinations.
Example: A pharmacist can now give the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine.

📖 Article

Seven Northeastern states and New York City have created the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to coordinate vaccine guidance and emergency planning. The members are New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island. The collaborative has formed interjurisdictional working groups for immunizations, laboratory services, and public health preparedness, and it will share data and best practices to improve regional readiness and response.

The group formed after major federal changes to vaccine advisory bodies and recommendations earlier in 2025; those shifts have led states to protect evidence-based public health guidance. Some member states have issued standing orders that allow pharmacists and other qualified health professionals to administer the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine. The collaborative will also explore ways to coordinate vaccine purchasing and to strengthen laboratory capacity. Officials say the partnership will support workforce development for understaffed public health departments. A similar West Coast alliance has been created, and Hawaii has joined that pact to align immunization advice across states.

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❓ Quiz

Q1. Who created the Northeast Public Health Collaborative?
Q2. When did the federal changes to vaccine advisory bodies happen?
Q3. Who can administer the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine under standing orders?

💬 Discussion

1.

Do you believe regional cooperation on health issues affects everyday life? How?

2.

Have you ever faced different health rules in neighboring towns or cities? What happened?

3.

What do you think about pharmacists giving vaccines instead of doctors? Is it helpful for you?

4.

Would you like to know more about how vaccines are decided for your age group? Why?