WEEKLY UPDATE: 09/25/25
To address growing concern and confusion surrounding patient access to vaccines, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health Committee convened healthcare providers, state officials, and lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday, September 24, to reinforce the safety and efficacy of immunization.
“We are doing, and will do everything we can, to assure vaccine access and affordability, and to help the people of Connecticut find information as we navigate a shifting landscape,” said State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-Fairfield), co-chair of the Public Health Committee.
The informational forum featured panels comprising medical experts from Connecticut Children’s, Hartford HealthCare, UConn Health, Yale School of Public Health, and other local healthcare organizations. The panelists shared their perspectives on the challenges facing providers and patients, strategies to improve vaccine access and equity, and the role of professional organizations in strengthening public trust.
“I believe in the beauty of science. I believe in the beauty of safety. I also believe in the beauty of choice. And we need to figure out how to bridge that,” said Dr. Ulysses Wu, system director of infectious diseases and chief epidemiologist of Hartford HealthCare, during the panel discussion with providers. “We have talked about preventable disease, and the saddest thing is seeing diseases occur that were preventable.”
During the forum, state officials also examined evolving federal healthcare policy and highlighted the Lamont administration’s recent series of executive actions to protect COVID-19 vaccine access statewide, including guidance from the Connecticut Departments of Public Health (DPH), Consumer Protection (DCP), and Insurance (CID). The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) released a statement commending the state for demonstrating its commitment to preserving equitable access to vaccines.
On Thursday, September 18, the administration formally announced Connecticut’s participation in the newly formed Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a voluntary regional coalition of public health agencies and leaders. The group’s shared mission is to ensure trust in public health, respond to public health threats, advance community health, and strengthen confidence in vaccines and science-based medicine. The partnership was established in early 2025 and held its first in-person meeting in Rhode Island in August. The coalition comprises interjurisdictional working groups from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York City.
“In times of federal uncertainty, strong state leadership and regional coordination are critical to protecting public health. Proactive, collaborative efforts are vital to supporting patients and safeguarding communities across Connecticut,” CHA said in a responding statement.
Click here for more information on the Lamont administration’s updated COVID-19 immunization guidance.
