Following September 2025 federal restrictions limiting COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to adults 65+ and high-risk individuals, 18 states implemented protective measures including executive orders allowing pharmacy administration without prescriptions. Regional alliances like the West Coast Health Alliance and Northeast Public Health Collaborative emerged, while Florida moved to eliminate school vaccine mandates. The bipartisan Governor's Public Health Alliance launched October 15 with 15 governors coordinating responses.

While the COVID-19 vaccines were the first mRNA technologies approved by the FDA, NIH scientists have been studying the technology since the 1960s. Now, mRNA technology is being explored for other diseases like cancer and the flu. Due to controversies stemming from the COVID pandemic response, including the vaccines, conservative legislators in 12 states have introduced legislation limiting mRNA vaccine technology.

Legislation we’re watching this month, including Medicaid policy activity in several states, a bill to eliminate the New Hampshire Vaccine Association, and more.