States push fight against mRNA vaccines

[noumoe]

The mRNA vaccines that stoked a considerable amount of vaccine skepticism and misinformation — are now a target of legislators in some conservative-led states.

The efforts risk further politicizing science and illustrate how the pandemic experience we all want to put in the rearview continues to drive policymaking.

No state has enacted a ban on mRNA so far. But Iowa, Montana and Idaho have all introduced legislation this year aimed at cutting the use of mRNA vaccine technology.

In Iowa this week, a bill advanced out of a legislative subcommittee that would penalize providers with fines of as much as $500 for each shot of mRNA-based vaccine they provide.

After pushback, state Sen. Doug Campbell, who introduced the bill, backtracked and reworked it to instead require mRNA vaccine makers to waive federal liability protections in order to distribute within the state.

The move would allow patients who believe they were harmed by the vaccine to file a lawsuit. "If I was a manufacturer of car tires and they delammed at 1,000 miles, I should be liable for that," he told the TV station KEYC.

Meanwhile, an Idaho bill that would outright ban the use of mRNA-based vaccines for 10 years is being considered in a state Senate committee but hasn't advanced. A regional public health department in the state has already been blocked from administering COVID shots in six Idaho counties.

Montana's measure would have criminalized the administration of mRNA shots but was ultimately defeated in February after two dozen Republicans voted against it.

In Florida on Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis called for lawmakers to permanently ban vaccine mandates of mRNA shots. States like Louisiana and Texas ended mass vaccinations and any other activities to promote the vaccines.

https://archive.ph/3Z9G6#selection-761.0-764.0