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AB 144: Creates Confusion with Federal Standards,
Centralizes Vaccine Power in CDPH, Removes Oversight, 
Opens Liability Gaps and Jeopardizes Public Confidence!
Urgent: Tell Governor Newsom to VETO AB 144   

Your immediate action is needed. The California Legislature gutted and amended AB 144 in the final two days of session with no committee hearings, no public input, and no stakeholder engagement, denying Californians a voice in critical health policy.  This sweeping Budget Trailer bill it sits on Governor Newsom’s desk, and AVFCA needs your help in urging him to VETO this dangerous measure.

AB 144 fills 66 pages and includes many different sections covering different topics, but one theme is of great concern to AVFCA - the change in control over Vaccine Policy in California.  This comes on the heels of Governor Newsom announcing that California, Oregon, and Washington launched a new West Coast Health Alliance to "uphold scientific integrity in public health as Trump destroys CDC’s credibility." (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/03/california-oregon-and-washington-to-launch-new-west-coast-health-alliance-to-uphold-scientific-integrity-in-public-health-as-trump-destroys-cdcs-credibility/)

AB 144 includes:

Centralization of power: Hands vaccine recommendations and rulemaking solely to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), eliminating oversight and cutting out parents, doctors, and legislators.

Creating confusion and misalignment with national standards: AB 144 locks California to federal vaccine standards as of January 1, 2025. Any new recommendations after that date would require CDPH action, leaving California out of sync with national guidance during fast-changing situations. Doctors, schools, and families could face conflicting instructions, undermining public confidence and slowing emergency response when clarity is most critical.

Erosion of parental rights and medical judgment: Limits school medical exemptions to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) standards, sidelining independent advisory bodies like the CDC and ACIP. This raises neutrality concerns given that AAP is heavily funded by vaccine manufacturers, namely Merck and Pfizer.

Dangerous gaps in liability protections: AB 144 expands liability shields for providers, but creates a possible conflict between state and federal policy. Families harmed by vaccines authorized under California-only rules could find themselves barred from filing with the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program because the vaccine wasn’t nationally recognized. At the same time, doctors could face exposure to federal lawsuits for not following national vaccine guidelines, even while shielded under state law.

Jeopardizing federal funding: Diverging from national vaccine policy puts California at risk of losing critical federal funding tied to compliance, leaving the state isolated and vulnerable during emergencies.

The bottom line: AB 144 centralizes too much authority, creates confusion, undermines parental rights, opens dangerous liability gaps, and risks both public trust and federal support. And it was advanced without the transparent, democratic process Californians deserve.

👉 Take Action Now: Contact Governor Newsom today and urge him to VETO AB 144.

1) Use AVFCA's easy to use form to submit your request online: https://tinyurl.com/vetoab144

2) Call and leave a message: (916) 445-2841

📢 Please share this alert widely with your friends, family, and networks. Be sure to credit A Voice for Choice Advocacy (AVFCA) as the source — we are committed to keeping you informed on urgent health policy developments. 

Your voice is critical. Together, we can make sure California health policy is guided by transparency, accountability, and trust.

If you found this information helpful and appreciate the work A Voice for Choice Advocacy is doing, please support us by making a donation today.

And don't forget to join us for our 10 year Anniversary Gala on October 11th.  But your ticket today!  https://givebutter.com/c/AVFCA2025Gala

C

Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org