HEALTH ADVISORY

County of Santa Clara
Public Health Department

Health Officer
150 W Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134

October 9, 2025

HEALTH ADVISORY: Santa Clara County Endorses California Respiratory Virus Vaccination Recommendations

To:
All Healthcare Providers

From:
Sarah L. Rudman, MD, MPH
Public Health Officer and Director
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department

***Please forward this to all healthcare providers in your organization.***
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Background

Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool for reducing severe illness from respiratory viruses, protecting vulnerable populations, and maintaining healthcare system capacity.

On September 17, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in alignment with the West Coast Health Alliance, issued vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for the 2025–26 respiratory virus season. This guidance is informed by trusted national medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In addition, California state law was updated to ensure that clinicians in California can still broadly provide COVID-19 and other vaccines, preserving patients’ access and choice. Among other provisions, the new law allows CDPH to issue its own vaccine recommendations based on the recommendations of professional medical groups, allows pharmacists to vaccinate without a physician prescription, provides liability coverage for vaccine providers, and ensures that vaccines will continue to be covered by health plans (including Medi-Cal managed care plans) and insurance companies, in most instances.

As of October 6, COVID vaccines, in addition to flu and RSV vaccines, are now available to order via the state’s Vaccines for Children and LHD 317 Programs.

Actions requested of Healthcare Providers:

1. Recommend the 2025–26 flu vaccines to everyone 6 months and older, especially to people who are at increased risk for flu complications such as pregnant patients and those with chronic health conditions.

2. Recommend the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine to anyone 6 months and older who desires protection from COVID-19, and especially recommend vaccination for the following persons:

• Infants and children age 6 to 23 months
• Children age 2-18 with risk factors or who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19
• Adults 18+ with risk factors
• Adults 65 years and older
• All people who are planning pregnancy, pregnant, postpartum, or lactating
• Anyone who is in close contact with others with risk factors

3. Recommend the RSV vaccine to the following people:

• Adults age 75 years and older, and age 50–74 with risk factors
• Pregnant patients 32–36 weeks gestational age
• Children younger than 8 months, and 8–19 months with risk factors

Resources:

1. Disease information (County of Santa Clara Public Health Department)
2. 2025-2026 Respiratory Vaccine Recommendations (California Department of Public Health)
3. SB144 Provider Letter (California Department of Public Health)
4. Vaccine Storage and Handling Resources (California Department of Public Health)
5. Medi-Cal Coverage of Vaccines (California Department of Health Care Services)
6. All Plan Letter (California Department of Managed Health Care)

County of Santa Clara Public Health Department offers information on many topics.
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