With some new federal immunization rules now on the way, California health officials have issued their own vaccination guidelines recommending that Californians six months and older who want Covid 19 virus protection get the season's updated vaccine.

Governor Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state's new health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.

Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 144, which requires insurance plans to cover the vaccines.

The state endorses.

California's guidelines and policy updates come as the federal government takes steps expected to restrict access to the Covid 19 vaccine.

In June, U.S.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the CDC and replaced them with 12 new members, some of whom are documented vaccine skeptics.

After the shakeup, the advisory panel has added a shared decision making requirement.

Basically, patients will have to speak to a doctor before getting the Covid shot.

Insurers typically cover vaccines based on these federal guidelines.

However, under the new state law, insurers in California will cover vaccines recommended by state health officials.

California's new law also grants the state health department authority over other vaccine policies.

Many of the state's immunization laws, including school vaccine schedules, insurance requirements and prescriber authorization, had been tied to the CDC advisory Committee recommendations.

The state health department's recommendations now take precedence.

This year's vaccine rollout coincides with a moderate surge in Covid 19 infections.

As of September 13th, over 10% of samples tested were positive.

That's higher than this time last year, according to state health data.

For CalMatters, I'm Ana Ibarra, with reporting by Kristen Hwang.