Two Republican Idaho lawmakers last week introduced a new bill that would criminalize the administration of mRNA vaccines across the state.
Co-sponsored by Idaho state Sen. Tammy Nichols and Rep. Judy Boyle, House Bill (HB) 154 was introduced on Feb. 15 in the House Health & Welfare Committee. Under the bill, all mRNA technology would be banned in the state.
If passed, the Idaho state code would be amended so that those administering mRNA vaccines to any person or mammal within the state would face misdemeanor charges.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not provide or administer a vaccine developed using messenger ribonucleic acid technology for use in an individual or any other mammal in this state,” the bill states. “A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Although the bill itself doesn’t specifically mention COVID-19 vaccines,KTVB7 News reported that during Nichols’ presentation to the committee she referred to two COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna.
While the two vaccines are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and supported by various public health agencies, Nichols raised safety and efficacy concerns.
“We have issues (the vaccine) was fast-tracked,” Nichols said during her presentation.
Nichols added that there is no liability, informed consent, or data on mRNA vaccines, KTVB7 News reported.
The bill has yet to be considered on the Idaho House floor as it still requires a hearing and vote by the committee.
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How would a ban on mRNA technology impact Idaho?
A ban on mRNA technology in Idaho would prevent the state’s population from accessing the technology, including the available COVID-19 vaccines and future mRNA vaccines.
Healthcare workers would also be put at risk for administering either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines despite there being a preference for mRNA vaccines over the Novavax or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers are also working on mRNA vaccines that would prevent other types of diseases, including cancer.
Small trials using mRNA-based cancer treatment vaccines have been tested for nearly a decade and some have shown “promising” early results, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Further research has also shown that mRNA vaccines “have elicited potent immunity against infectious disease targets in animal models of influenza virus, Zika virus, rabies virus, and others,” according to a study from the scientific journal Nature in 2018.
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COVID cases in Idaho
With the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 growing every day throughout the U.S. and across the world, experts and officials have said the pandemic is not yet over.
COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. are likely far lower than the actual number because of limited testing.
According to state data in Idaho, at least 517,540 people have been reported to have COVID-19 and at least 5,389 have died.
And since vaccination efforts have varied by state, Idaho has been reported to have one of the lowest vaccination rates. According to state data, only 975,583 people out of 1.9 million are fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines.
USA TODAY
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