Maryland to chart independent vaccine guidance under new 'Vax Act'

April 17, 2026 - 15:03

Maryland is preparing for a major shift in how it determines vaccine recommendations and other preventive health guidelines, after Governor Wes Moore signed a new law establishing an independent state council. The legislation, known as the "Vax Act," creates a panel of local medical experts tasked with reviewing data and issuing health guidance specifically for Maryland residents.

This move effectively decouples the state's official public health advisories from federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Proponents argue that a state-specific approach allows for recommendations that better reflect Maryland's unique demographic makeup, regional health trends, and local disease prevalence. The council will have the authority to evaluate vaccines for all age groups and other preventive measures.

Governor Moore stated the law empowers Maryland to be proactive and nimble in protecting community health based on the best available science. The independent council is expected to begin its work in the coming months, with its findings and recommendations carrying the weight of state health policy. This establishes Maryland as one of the first states to formally create its own parallel structure for developing preventive health guidance.