Hochul signs bills to give NYS more control over vaccine access

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday approved legislation aimed at protecting vaccine access, by giving New York more autonomy over standards traditionally set by the federal government.

The move comes as the Trump administration, under the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist, has moved to reduce vaccine recommendations.

"When public health comes under attack by an anti-science administration, New York fights back," Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement. "Sadly, our country has witnessed the deadly consequences of politicizing science and rejecting expert opinion, especially for young people. That’s why this legislation protects access to lifesaving vaccines for New Yorkers of all ages."

One of the bills signed into law requires health insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the state health commissioner and superintendent of financial services in addition to recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP.

Another removes references to the federal committee from several state laws related to immunization including when it comes to school requirements and the recommended immunization schedule for newborns.

The changes mean the state is no longer legally tied to recommendations from the federal body controlled by the Trump administration and instead can use generally accepted medical standards and recommendations from nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations.

The administration has come under fire for its handling of a measles resurgence as cases nationwide soared over 2,000 last year and have remained steady in the thousands in 2026 — higher than they’ve been in decades.

A number of other states have taken similar action to protect vaccine access.

The bills were approved by the Democratic-led State Legislature in April and earlier this month.

Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly questioned the changes and whether they would cause confusion by having an array of outside voices determining standards or affect insurance coverage or liability protections for doctors and health groups.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald applauded the measures.

"Vaccines remain one of the greatest public health tools in history, protecting individuals, families and entire communities from serious and preventable diseases," he said in a statement. "This legislation reinforces New York State’s commitment to following trusted medical guidance and keeping New Yorkers healthy."