There is such a barrage of unrealistic legislative changes coming from the national Trump/Musk administration, followed by out of bounds state legislative bills, it creates numbness. Perhaps that is the whole intent of these current Republican politicians.
To retain focus, I have decided to spend my time only on health care issues and women’s rights. I remain hopeful other responsible citizens will focus on education, property taxes, along with the environmental concerns that need to be brought to the general public’s attention.
I need to explain the back story of legislation limiting gene-based vaccines in Iowa. Senate File 360 was introduced Feb. 18 by retired pharmacist Sen. Doug Campbell of Mason City. The bill as originally written prohibited the administration of gene-based vaccines within the state. Gene-based vaccine was defined in the bill as “a vaccine developed using messenger ribonucleic acid technology, modified messenger ribonucleic acid technology, self-amplifying messenger ribonucleic acid technology or deoxyribonucleic acid technology”.
To break this into simpler terms, RNA and DNA use genes to produce proteins that trigger an immune response. Some researchers believe this has potential to help patients diagnosed with cancer to create their own immune systems. COVID-19 vaccine was developed using this technique.
The original bill language stated that anyone administering gene-based vaccines would face a simple misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine per incident. Licensed healthcare professionals found in violation would be subject to a review of their licenses by the appropriate licensing board.
I was incensed as an individual. If I needed a COVID-19 booster, would I have to travel to Nebraska or Minnesota? If I were able to obtain the vaccine and administer it to a family member, would I be fined $500 for every shot? I contacted our Greene County legislators Sen. Jesse Green and Rep. Carter Nordman about this pending legislation.
Senate File 360 was heavily amended on March 3 by retired pharmacist Campbell. The penalty provisions were removed, and in place was written a “requirement of vaccine manufactures to waive immunity from lawsuits related to ‘vaccine injuries. One of the subcommittee members, Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, read an email from an Algona resident who he said reported having a vaccine injury.
As an additional piece of information, some states are pushing restrictions on COVID-19 vaccines as President Donald Trump, and new Health and Human Services head RFK Jr. “Make America Healthy Again” review certain vaccines for ties to chronic illnesses, including those using mRNA technology.
USA Today has fact checked claims about health risks of COVID-19 vaccines and found that there is no evidence DNA fragments in COVID-19 vaccines pose any risk, according to the Food and Drug Administration and multiple medical experts.
Experts say the leftover material does not cause cancer and lacks a way to get into a cell’s nucleus to change it and is found in too small of a quantity to alter a cell’s DNA. Rather, it is a byproduct of the manufacturing process.
But several Iowans spoke in favor of the original bill and argued the vaccine warranted further study and should be pulled off the market in Iowa while researchers understand its potential health effects, particularly in cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle linked in rare cases to COVID-19 vaccines.
On March 4, the amended bill was passed on a 2-1 vote from the subcommittee to the full Health and Human Services Committee. Campbell, along with Senator Dennis Guth (R-Klemme) voted in favor while Senator Molly Donahue, (D- Cedar Rapids) voted no.
“We have to make sure we are giving everything possible to whoever wants it. More than 1.2 million people have died from COVID-19. This is a choice. You don’t want this vaccine, then don’t take it,” Donahue said.
Friday, March 7 was the first “funnel” deadline of the session, by which most policy bills were required to advance through the first two legislative steps — approval by a subcommittee and in this instance to the full Health and Human Services committee. The companion House Bill 712 died during the funnel process.
Senate File Bill 360 also did not pass out of the Health and Human Services committee to the full Senate.
The VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is that politicians should not be making health care decisions. It is reasonable to understand that vaccine manufacturers will be hesitant to develop and make immunizations available with the liability for a vaccine accident. I agree with Senator Donahue, if you don’t want the vaccine, then don’t get it.
~Mary Weaver is a former public health nurse and resides on a farm near Rippey.
