ALBANY COUNTY — On Oct. 14, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she has joined 14 other governors, representing more than a third of the people in the United States, in a nonpartisan, not-for-profit coalition called the Governors Public Health Alliance.

Earlier this month, Hochul had extended for 30 days her executive order, which allows pharmacists to continue administering COVID vaccines, providing access for any New Yorker who wants to be vaccinated.

The goal, the governor’s office said, is to have a long-term legislative solution to protect the immunization and health-care rights of New Yorkers.

In Albany County, according to data posted by the state’s health department, cases of COVID-19 reached a low point in mid-July and then began climbing through the end of September but are now once again on the decline. Cases typically peak in late December and early January.

Currently, Albany County has 1.3 COVID-19 cases per 1,000 of population. The dominant variant statewide, at over 80 percent, is XFG.

In September, New York state released COVID-19 vaccine guidance for 2025-26, which, despite changes in federal guidance, recommends COVID vaccination for children (6 months to 18 years old), all adults, and individuals at higher risk, including those who are pregnant, lactating, or immunocompromised.

These recommendations are consistent with the Fall 2025 COVID-19 vaccination guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

After Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in May that pregnant women and healthy children were no longer recommended to get the shot, these professional societies moved to develop their own COVID vaccination recommendations.

Hochul is now calling on the federal government to make the COVID-19 vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children program. As of now, the Trump administration has yet to make COVID-19 vaccines available for states to order through this program.

“This inaction is causing unnecessary disorder while putting the health of millions of children at risk,” said a release from the governor’s office, which added that the state’s Department of Health is exploring additional solutions to make sure all children, including uninsured kids, have access to the vaccines.

Last month, Health Commissioner James McDonald issued a standing order for the COVID vaccine that is still in effect, ensuring that pharmacists statewide can continue to provide timely and convenient access.

“As we call on the federal government to make this vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children program, the Department will keep working to remove barriers and protect families’ access to lifesaving immunization,” said McDonald in a statement. “Vaccines save lives, and we will always stand with New Yorkers to safeguard their health.”

Governors Public Health Alliance

Although the new public-health alliance bills itself as nonpartisan, all 15 of its founding members are Democratic governors — from 14 states and Guam.

In addition to Hochul, the governors include Bob Ferguson of Washington, Josh Green of Hawaii, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Tina Kotek of Oregon, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Matt Meyer of Delaware, Wes Moore of Maryland, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Gavin Newsom of California, Jared Polis of Colorado, JB Pritzker Illinois, and Josh Stein of North Carolina.

As part of the alliance, a release from the governor’s office said, “New York will participate in and contribute to a nonpartisan coordinating hub for governors and their public health leaders and a unified, cross-state liaison with the global health community. The Alliance also provides a platform for governors to exchange best practices, align policies, and coordinate on issues like vaccine access, emergency response and health security.”

The alliance is supported by the Governors Action Alliance (GovAct), a not-for-profit, nonpartisan initiative that supports governors in protecting fundamental freedoms, including public health. The Alliance is advised by leading public health experts, including the former director of the Centers for disease control and Prevention, Dr. Mandy Cohen; former Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink; and Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense.

“With many health threats at our doorstep, collaboration and communication between Governors is essential to protect the health of families and save lives,” said Cohen in a statement. “This alliance creates the framework to support the national coordination needed to safeguard communities.”

GovAct Founder and Chief Executive Officer Julia Spiegel said in a release announcing the alliance, “Governors are being asked to do more with less — daily. And yet the challenges keep growing. GovAct is here to help bring capacity, expertise, and know-how so that governors have the tools they need to act decisively, together, to protect the health and well-being of their people.” 

“From undermining vaccine access and abortion rights to slashing billions in Medicaid funding from those in need, the federal government is wreaking havoc on public health and the institutions we rely on,” Hochul said in the release. “The Governors Public Health Alliance will allow our states to share expertise, coordinate with global partners, and deploy the tools and information needed to meet public health threats and protect the American people.” 

Participating states have already begun sharing best practices, the release said, receiving briefings from public health experts, and coordinating on executive actions governors can take to strengthen public health protections, including standing orders or directives to preserve access to COVID-19 vaccines.