Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

03-04-2025

Courtney Collier

Vote yes on HF712. Iowans should know when they purchase a product in the state of Iowa the manufacturer and the administer or sales person has liability for the safety of that product. I can think of no products more important for this to be true then those sold in medicine. Why would we allow an industry to sell products to Iowans without requiring the manufacturer to stand behind the products with full responsibility and liability for the products? That is truly an insane business model, and its one that prioritizes profits over the safety and wellbeing of people.

03-04-2025

Tiffany Walter

I have watched my vaccine injured sister suffer relentlessly all the while these drug manufacturers hide under an immunity veil created by falsifying documents to create an argument for immunity. This needs to change!

03-04-2025

Ella Hall

Vaccines are medical interventions that unquestionably can and do injure or cause death for some people. At this point, if there is a vaccine injury, we the people pay for that injury with our own tax dollars through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Meanwhile pharmaceutical companies continue to pocket large profits with no accountability. This needs to change. Vaccines are not required to undergo longterm doubleblind inertplacebo controlled trials to assess safety. In fact, not a single one of the clinical trials for vaccines given to babies and toddlers had a control group receiving an inert placebo. Comparisons are usually to other vaccines. Most pediatric vaccines currently on the market have been approved based on studies with inadequate followup periods of only a few days or weeks. Injuries or deaths beyond that time are not recorded in the study. If liability is required for medical products, then it is more likely that that product will go through a more thorough trial than many vaccine trials of only a few days. For example, the polio vaccine was licensed after a 48hour followup period. Two Hepatitis B vaccines licensed by the FDA for injection into onedayold babies include Mercks, which was licensed after trials that solicited adverse reactions for only five days after vaccination, and GlaxoSmithKlines was licensed after trials that solicited adverse reactions for only four days after vaccination. Surely that is not long enough to know if there are any adverse effects and manufacturers should be held liable for their injuries caused due to their products and lack of studies. Pharmaceutical companies have been sued and lost for pleading guilty to making false and misleading statements. It is imperative that manufacturers of vaccines produce high quality products and be held liable for injuries when failing to do so.

03-04-2025

Jenna Anthofer

Please support bill HF712. When a company remains liable for the harm their products or services cause, it helps ensure those products and services are properly tested for safety before they are offered to the public. Removal of liability can allow companies to cut corners on safety in order to put out more products faster. Immunity from liability defies the constitution and the right to due process. As an Iowan who suffered from Bell's Palsy after a vaccination, this bill is directly impactful to my experience as a vaccine injured citizen of our state. Please support HF712!

03-04-2025

Pam Cowles

My dear father in law passed away within a week of having a vaccine. He woke with a massive headache, had a nose bleed that he couldn't stop on his own, and went to the hospital. He went downhill quickly and died of "unknown" cause, after they ran several tests on the obvious things.Pharma has to be held accountable for the things they create to be put inside the human body. There has to be some recourse for things that are harmful.

03-04-2025

Jennifer Briggs

I fully support this bill and it is so incredibly long overdue. How weve managed to allow a literal mandate to participate in society and schools withought vaccinations from companies that do not have to stand behind their products is just, mind blowing. We CANNOT be requiring, pushing or advocating injections to our citizens as young as one minute old, by companies that do not have to face liability for their product failing and injuring babies and humans. There is barely a choice followed by zero recourse. I have a vaccine injured child.,,,I was never told anything except that it must be done. Imagine my surprise when I find out vaccine manufacturers are exempt from liability when they have the ability to ruin an entire life, its INSANE! fully support this much needed bill.

03-04-2025

Carolyn Morrison

Shortly after receiving a certain vaccine, my father went from being an extremely fit, workingclass man in his 50's to having an autoimmune condition that we now know to be a sideeffect of some vaccines. He was bedridden for the greater part of two years, and it impacted not just his livelihood but the whole family income. Because my father had been the sole provider in our family, my mother was forced to find employment to support us, not at all easy for a woman in her mid50's with no employment history and no training or education beyond high school. In my opinion, this illness completely destroyed my father's quality of life. Every facet of his life changed after that, from subsequent surgeries (and repercussions from them) that resulted from medical treatments for the autoimmune condition to the loss of his employment and, ultimately, a shortened lifespan.I was in high school during the time when he contracted this autoimmune condition, and my life was significantly impacted as well by my father's illness. I was unable to participate in many school activities, just because we didn't have the funds required or the ability to travel to other locations. Much of our time as a family was devoted to obtaining medical care for my father or visiting him in faraway hospitals (something that stemmed from this condition and continued for the remainder of his life).Vaccinemakers being liabilityfree removes a patient's right to due process and defies the Constitution. I can tell you from firsthand experience that there is no more helpless feeling than to watch your loved one suffering from a debilitating illness and have absolutely no recourse for helping to ease their pain, provide for their care, or supply their daily needs. Your support of HF712 can alter this type of desperate situation for other Iowa families.

03-04-2025

Paul Gilbert

I strongly oppose SF712. Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and this bill would severely undermine the health of Iowans by introducing barriers to widespread uptake. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccinerelated injury. This bill is not a good solution to Iowa's health problems. There is tremendous misinformation about vaccines circulating, and I urge legislators to follow science, not fear.

03-04-2025

Jamie Gade

03-04-2025

Danielle Pettit-Majewski

I strongly oppose HF712. There is no need for this legislation as it duplicates efforts that are already in place for those impacted by vaccine injury. However, let's say it, VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. What this bill will actually do, regardless of what it intends to do, is reduce access to vaccines in the State of Iowa. We're already seeing pockets of vaccine preventable outbreaks, like the Measles outbreak in Texas. We've even seen the first child die from measles in the US in 10 years. In 2000, it was considered eliminated in the US, but now here we are. Additionally, over the years, we've seen several pertussis (whooping cough) outbreaks in the State of Iowa. A completely preventable disease. We have seen so much misinformation and disinformation about vaccines, and the impact that has had on our childhood vaccination rates puts us at risk of seeing more outbreaks in our state. We don't have the healthcare infrastructure to handle the consequences this bill would have on Iowa's children. You talk about risk of vaccine injury let's take MMR. There's a 0.03% chance of febrile seizures. But if an unvaccinated child is exposed to measles, a 90% chance they'll get sick. Then a 40% chance that child will need to be hospitalized. THAT is the risk we're trying to prevent, however, VACCINES WORK. And when public health practices work, they're invisible. You don't see as many children buried together in the cemetery anymore because vaccines work. This bill is dangerous, and vaccines are safe. I ask you to NOT support this bill.

03-04-2025

Michelle Veach

Vote YES for HF 712 I am 48, a Wife and a Mom. In April of 2021 I took two Pfizer covid shots. I've had two seperate long term episodes of myocarditis, which have been treated by a cardiologist. Treating it was expensive, as alternative treatments like HBOT are not covered by insurance, and required an MRI. Heart tissue does not heal, it scars, so I will never fully know if I am no longer at risk for a heart attack. In February I had my Spike protein antibodies tested. Dr. Peter McCollough said below 1,000 was safe. My levels are at 11,000. This is proof my body is making spike proteins due to the mRNA shot. These products were rushed through approval, early treatments were suppressed to allow them to be approved. We MUST be able to seek justice for the damage that has been done.Children are being given far too many shots if you remove the liability shield for vaccine manufacturers they will remove unsafe products from the market.

03-04-2025

Rachel Donahoe

03-04-2025

Jane Esterly-Rettig

Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and this bill would severely undermine the health of Iowans. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related injury.I strongly oppose HF712.

03-04-2025

Michelle Breitwisch

I oppose this bill. This will severely limit access to vaccines. We already have programs in place and ways to report any side effects from vaccines. This bill is the opposite of DOGE. I think I will have to report to Kim you are wasting time and resources. Additionally,you are taking away our right to protect ourselves from serious illness. I'm not sure who you expect to be there for you when you have a heart attack or break a limb when all your healthcare providers are out sick with Covid or flu. Please come visit a nursing home next fall during a dual Covid/flu outbreak. Breathe in that germ ridden air...sound appealing? Didn't think so. Y'all are made of weak sauce applesauce. Iowa legislators that are for this bill are scaredy cats that just drank raw milk from a positive H5 cow wondering how did I waste all my nine lives?

03-04-2025

Anthony Chen

I strongly OPPOSE this bill. Vaccines are extremely safe and are a great boon to the citizens of Iowa. They contribute immensely to the healthcare of Iowans and this bill would introduce barriers to the continued production/distribution of such vaccines. There are indeed potential sideeffects and risks to vaccines but these are rare, while the societal benefits are widereaching and tangible. There is a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in place to compensate those affected by the sideeffects of vaccines. Furthermore, the 1986 act does not protect vaccine companies from being sued for negligence or fraud. What we need instead is better dissemination of vaccine information and the potential risks involved. Given the massive potential healthcare fallout if pharmaceutical companies are disincentivized from making vaccines for the American public, this bill is detrimental to the healthcare of Iowans and has my strong disapproval.

03-04-2025

Allison Smith

I strongly oppose HF712. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and here at home. All Iowans our babies, children, adults, and elders deserve the protection vaccines offer. HF712 would make ALL vaccines difficult, if not impossible, to access in Iowa. Robust safety protocols in the development, production, and supply chain mean that vaccines are one of the safest products on the market. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was established in the mid1980s to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing lifesaving vaccines, and in the rare circumstances that someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation. Two Iowans were instrumental in creating the NVICP Senator Chuck Grassley and Dr. Peter Wallace, a retired physician from Iowa City! You can learn more about the NVICP here: https://bit.ly/NVICPFACTSThank you for keeping Iowans safe and healthy by stopping HF712.

03-04-2025

Jonathan Danker

Im OPPOSE HF 712 because it would do more harm than good. People should have a right to choose what to do with their bodies. Vaccines are very safe and prevent death from diseases. They rarely cause injuries and huge side effects. I should know because I have been vaccinated and never I had any issues or symptoms. They have a federal program that helps called VICP that pays and helps people dealing with Vaccine injuries. FDA would never approve of these vaccines if they knew they werent safe. If this bill passes, the manufacturer would pull out their vaccines from this state and it would be worse than the pandemic. People will die because of this bill. Majority of medical professionals said the vaccines are safe and effective and usually I would trust doctors on this one. Please let Iowans still have a choice on if they should take a vaccine or not and DONT PASS HF712.

03-04-2025

Emily Bush

As a nurse, I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are safe and effective. The side effect of this bill will be that vaccines will become harder for Iowans to get. We are already short providers. More providers will leave the state of Iowa. Why would they want to stay in a state that rejects science? Parents who believe in science will also leave the state. And for those left, expect a lot of outbreaks of preventable diseases. Please reject this bill.

03-04-2025

Louis Katz MD

I am an infectious diseases clinician and public health physician with almost 50 years of experience in Iowa. I have had the misfortune during my career of caring for unimmunized patients with paralytic polio, measles encephalitis, whooping cough, mumps, rubella and other formerly epidemic infections. I vigorously oppose HF 712 based on the historic safety of immunization, the spectacular impact of vaccines on health in the US and worldwide and the existence of the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Since 1974, vaccines have saved an estimated 154,000,000 million lives worldwide, 146,000,000 younger than 5 years and 101,000,000 younger than one year (Lancet 2024; 403: 230716. Attached). Many thousands of these successes have been in the US.The VICP adequately protects Americans from the rare adverse effects of immunization using a streamlined program funded by an excise tax paid by the vaccine manufacturers. Claims of injury are adjudicated at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by a group of eight Special Masters. Special Masters are specifically told to make sure proceedings are expeditious, flexible, and less adversarial than civil court. A description is attached.The proposed bill will result in excess morbidity and mortality among Iowans for no benefit, and endangers the lives of those unable to be effectively immunized unnecessarily.Louis M. Katz MDCedar County, Iowa

Attachment

03-04-2025

Melanie Patton

This is a great step in making vaccine manufacturers accountable... my 27 year old daughter was typically developing at the age of 3 1/2, she was injured by an ingredient in a shot and have 100s of seizures per day for years... through natural based treatments and lots of faith & prayer, she is a functioning 27 year old, but she has lasting disabilities that affect her daily life that we have no doubt were caused by the injection and it's ingredients. Our lives were forever changed with just one shot... holding manufacturers accountable would be a great step in the right direction for Iowa families...

03-04-2025

Amy Dea

Vote yes on HF712. Pharmaceutical companies should be held accountable for any injuries caused to individuals who trust their products. They should not be granted immunity from responsibility. No company should be allowed to sell a harmful product without facing consequences.

03-04-2025

Katie Cordray

Vote yes on HF 712. I know people who have been injured, so I know it happens. Where theres risk, there should be a choice. But right now, theres no liability, which means if you or your child were ever injured by a vaccine, you wouldnt have the right to due process.

03-04-2025

Ashley Schoenfeldt

Please vote NO on HF 712. This would severely limit the vaccines that would be easily accessible to Iowans who know vaccines save lives, and willingly assume the risk of vaccination upon getting vaccinated. There is already a national service: the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) that has a straight forward process for applying for damages in the event of a vaccine injury. Vaccine companies have long been protected from personal litigation in order to ensure vaccines are widely available and accessible to the public. Also vaccine injuries do not solely rests on the vaccine. Injury can occur by how the vaccine is administered, so it is actually protecting hospitals to have a national service available for vaccine injury compensation, rather than suing each hospital and vaccine company. Please do not risk the healthcare of Iowans, because some are uninformed about the services available to them. As Iowans we should all get to decide healthcare services to have access to. If we lay this burden on the companies and they cant comply, we could be left highly vulnerable should another pandemic or vaccine preventable disease become prevalent again. Thank you for your time and consideration.

03-04-2025

Jennifer Leonhard

Please support this bill.I was received my kindergarten vaccines in the 80s and I went from being a happy child to experiencing an abrupt onset of health issues and after meeting with so many many specialists in the state it was determined to be a vaccine injury. My parents spent so much money on doctor appointments and therapies for my health and I have a lifelong autoimmune condition that resulted in so many infertility issues. There was no VAERS system yet to report my vaccine injury and my family had no recourse.Vaccine injury is not rare, but unlike FenPhen, surgical mesh, and so many other pharmaceutical products there is no possibility to look back at a body of evidence and see that a community of patients deserve to get compensation for problematic vaccines. We have been stripped of our due process and constitutional rights.I understand that many people observe no issues with vaccines and I have no desire to prevent them from making their own informed choices, but the pharmaceutical manufacturers must waive their immunity so that the rights of Iowans can be restored. By dropping the innunity the pharmaceutical companies could decrease vaccine hesitancy because people would know they had recourse in the case of calamity.Please support hf712 to protect the rights of iowans.

03-04-2025

Nancy Haren

I oppose HF712. I was a public health nurse for 28 years and gave hundreds of vaccines to children and adults. During this time I may have filed one vaccine injury report and it was a severe reaction that resolved itself fully. People are provided vaccine information and sign informed consent before vaccines are administered. Vaccines are safe and effective. The incidence of vaccine injury is very low. The diseases that these vaccines protect againstcan de very serious. While severe reactions to vaccines are possible the risk of severe complications from a preventable disease in an unvaccinated person is greater.

03-04-2025

Justin Furtado

I strongly oppose Bill HF 712, which seeks to restrict vaccination requirements, posing a serious threat to public health. Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential in preventing disease outbreaks that endanger vulnerable populations. The scientific consensus, backed by the CDC, WHO, and medical experts, confirms their necessity in maintaining community wellbeing. Weakening vaccine policies risks increased hospitalizations, economic strain, and public safety concerns. I urge you to reject this bill and uphold evidencebased policies that protect our communities.

03-04-2025

Justin Furtado

03-04-2025

James Kay

I oppose this bill completely. This bill will cause obvious issues in vaccinating Iowans against preventable diseases. You're exposing healthcare providers to frivolous lawsuits and making terribly uninformed decisions. Everyone in favor of this bill should be ashamed. Quit trying to kill healthcare in this state.

03-04-2025

Annette Davis

Im a fully against this proposal. This bill is ridiculous, Iowans want to be able to get vaccine. There is a vaccine injury program already fully in place and it has been for many years. I can tell many constituents are confused about that by reading other comments. Do not pass this or you will be making Iowa a medical desert and you will be driving people to leave the state. This will NOT benefit any Iowans!

03-04-2025

Thomas O'Donnell

I oppose this bill. It essentially would ban nearly all vaccines from distribution in Iowa with negative effects on human health. Imagine a measles outbreak like the one in Texas. Imagine mumps and rubella sickening, disabling and killing children. Imagine COVID19 runnin rampant through our nursing homes. This is our future if this passes.

03-04-2025

Jill Thiel

I am very against this bill. I am an RN in Infection Prevention with a masters degree in infection control, and nationally certified with CBIC in infection control. This bill is well disguised but is actually very dangerous. This bill would make the administration, selling, or distribution of ANY vaccine in Iowa illegal, unless the manufacturer waives certain federal protections. These protections are in place because:1. Vaccines dont make manufacturers much money. Theyre cheap, as drugs go2. The federal government and public health wants vaccines to be widely available, because they work SO WELL. So, the federal government waived certain liabilities from vaccine manufacturers, and created a fund, called the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) which is funded by taxes from the manufacturers. This fund is for any rare adverse effects as a result of vaccination. There is a special section of Federal Court set up for just this type of event, ensuring a quick and flexible follow up.This bill disincentivizes manufacturers from making their vaccines, because, again, theyre not money makers. If they lose their liability protections, theyre not going to make their vaccines available in Iowa. I want my child (and myself!) to have access to all recommended vaccinations, with an easy visit to our PCP or pharmacy rather than a road trip out of state. Please do NOT pass this bill. It will endanger everyone in our state, including those who brought it forward.

03-04-2025

Jolene Furr

Do NOT pass HF 712!!! Iowans have the right to receive vaccines if they want first their own health. If people dont want a vaccine then you have the right to say no but dont take my right to say yes! I am a pharmacist and vaccines save lives!!

03-04-2025

Coreena Kinney

Vote Yes for this bill to require that vaccine manufacturers be liable for damages from their products. Support Iowans' right to due process. If vaccines are indeed the safest possible medical intervention, there is no harm in manufacturers accepting liability for their products. It will cost them very little and bolster confidence in vaccines. Please know that the VICP is a very difficult program to work with. My daughter was injured as an adult by a flu shot and MMR booster in 2015. She filed with the VICP in 2018. The process was long, with many delays introduced by the program personnel requesting and rerequesting the same records they'd already been given. In 2024, after SIX years of waiting, they finally decided not to award her the compensation she was due. There was no other reason for the dramatic changes in her health that started two weeks after the vaccines, and the expert in her case was convinced her injuries were caused by the vaccine and testified to that, but the Special Master didn't wish to admit it and denied her compensation. There is no way to appeal that judgement. No one who wants a vaccine will have to go without one when this law is passed. They'll just have the reassurance that if anything should happen, they can get the compensation they are due.

03-04-2025

Sonja Hoie

The federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists to cover the rare adverse effects from vaccines. It's funded with taxes on vaccine manufacturers, who would stop producing these lifesaving drugs without legal protections.This bill would endanger the well being of children and adults.

03-04-2025

Jenny Kirkman

I strongly oppose SF712. Vaccines are one of the safest health options available and this bill would add barriers to access.The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists. This bill is not based on science and is simply fearmongering while attempting to undermine the credibility and reliability of vaccines.Allow Iowans access and autonomy.

03-04-2025

Bethany Steichen

I wholeheartedly support this bill. My now 12 year old son, had a stroke after his 2 month vaccines. It cost him his voice for almost 6 years and the vision in his left eye likely for life. By the time we realized the extent of his injury it was too late to file for compensation with the VICP for compensation. Given the severity of the vaccine injury, he was put on medicaid. He was in therapy 34 times a week for the first 6 or 7 years of his life. Most of those therapies cost anywhere from $300$800 (which is likely way more now.) Costing the state roughly $327k, and that's on the low end, and doesnt include his glasses, normal doctors appointments, etc. Why on earth are Iowa tax payers paying for something that the vaccine manufacturers could be paying for? How are we supposed to trust these vaccines if they arent even being held liable for their damages? How do we ensure there are safe vaccines on the market for IOWAS CHILDREN if the makers cant even be held to a safe product to begin with? How do we ensure Iowans arent paying for and being held accountable for things they had nothing to do with?

03-04-2025

Nicole Harris

You should vote no on this bill, as it would add extreme difficulty to those of us wanting vaccines. We all know that the goal of this is to make companies refuse to distribute in the state because the risk to them isn't worth it. Even if the "vaccine injury" is proven to be false in court, they'd still have to waste time and resources litigating it. Instead, they just won't serve Iowa. It's time people take responsibility for themselves and stop expecting others to dictate their actions and do the work for them. If I want a vaccine, I should be able to get it. If you don't want one, don't get it. It's simple. Freedom isn't freedom unless it goes both ways.

03-04-2025

Kelly Goeke

I am writing to strongly oppose any legislation (HF712) that seeks to restrict or undermine vaccine requirements. Vaccines are one of the most effective public health measures in history, saving millions of lives by preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Weakening vaccine policies puts entire communities at risk, particularly children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.Science and history have proven that widespread vaccination reduces outbreaks, protects public health, and prevents unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths. Legislation that discourages vaccination not only ignores decades of medical research but also threatens the safety of our schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems.I urge you to stand with the medical and scientific communities in supporting strong vaccine policies that keep our communities safe. Please reject any legislation that undermines these critical protections.

03-04-2025

Katherine Bowler

I strongly oppose this bill as this will discourage vaccine companies from sending vaccines to Iowa compromising the health of all Iowans. All vaccines have some minor risk, but all diseases have guaranteed risk. We must keep vaccines available to all Iowans to ensure a healthy community and oppose this bill.

03-04-2025

Kassie Werner

I oppose this bill.The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act is a federal law and states have no authority to overturn.The fact that we have representatives wasting time to try and pass dangerous bills is abhorrent. Vaccines are safe and effective and the fear mongering that is currently happening in the country, and now this state, is unimaginable. We need to protect our populations against these preventable diseases. The representatives even considering this are taking our state backwards instead of trying to become more progressive.Ignorance is never a reason to do something and this is stretching far beyond.

03-04-2025

Evette Lovaas

I strongly OPPOSE the amended Senate committee legislation HF 712. mRNA vaccines for Covid allowed us to climb out of a worldwide pandemic. If you personally don't want an mRNA vaccine or cancer treatment using mRNA technology then you have the choice to say no ... DO NOT MAKE MY CHOICE OR THE CHOICE FOR MY FAMILY. The research has been done and the approval given by the FDA that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective. mRNA vaccines were developed based on decades of scientific study at NIH before they were authorized and approved by the FDA. Research into how to deliver mRNA into cells began in the 1970s. And in the early 2000s, a laboratory breakthrough showed that modified mRNA can safely deliver instructions to cells.During COVID this breakthrough was used to develop a safe vaccine to fight a novel virus. By passing this legislation, you will lower vaccinations rates in Iowa and this will put everyone in danger. You are not doctors, you are representatives of your constituents and all of Iowa. Stop trying to legislate medical decisions around baseless conspiracy theories. By changing the language coming out of the Iowa Senate you are making it less transparent what this dangerous bill will do. I believe in medical freedom VOTE NO on HF 712!

03-04-2025

Melanie Wellington

I strongly urge the committee members to vote against HF712. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is critically important to the health of all Iowans.I am a physician specializing in the care of children with severe or complex infections, an epidemiologist, and the Chair of the Johnson County Board of Health. I also have a PhD in immunology. Thus, I am very experienced in the issues related to HF712.The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program does not exist because vaccines are risky. Vaccines are extremely safe and highly effective. While it is extraordinarily rare, injuries related to vaccines do sometimes occur. From 20062022, over 5 billion doses of vaccines covered by VICP were distributed in the US. Of those 5 billion vaccinations, 12,593 resulted in a report to the VICP. The VICP exists because. even with that small number of claims of injury, the process of litigation is very expensive for pharmaceutical corporations. Without the VICP, pharmaceutical companies would leave the market and stop making vaccines. Many politicians make the argument that vaccines should be a personal choice. If there are no vaccines produced, then we have been deprived of our ability to make that choice.Furthermore, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is an important program that is highly beneficial to the people of Iowa for these reasons:1. Anyone can file a complaint through the VCIP. Without the VCIP, individuals would be required to file "traditional" lawsuits if they experienced an injury after vaccination. This traditional system requires that the individual filing the suit be able to pay all their legal fees. For VICP review, the VICP covers all fees.2. Traditional law suits for injury require a high burden of proof the individual must prove that the vaccine caused the injury. This is often very difficult to prove and even when proof can be demonstrated, doing so can be very expensive to the claimant. In VICP review, the Department of Health and Human Services conducts the medical review. This review requires a much lower burden of proof than a traditional lawsuit. Furthermore, the VICP maintains a list of injuries that could be caused by covered vaccines. If an individual has an injury on that list, they are automatically compensated without even requiring a hearing. Approximately 60% of compensation awarded through the VICP is awarded in cases where there was no "proof" that the vaccine caused the injury. 3. Most lawsuits that represent people who experience an injury related to medical care are classaction lawsuits. This require that someone who experienced an injury be able to identify others who experienced the same injury and get them agree to file the suit. It is very unusual that a classaction suit is pursued with fewer than 20 members. More often, they include hundreds if not thousands of individuals. It can take years if not decades to assemble such a group of people. This is an unacceptable amount of time for someone who experienced an injury to wait for compensation.Thus, the VICP protects all Iowans by providing an affordable, transparent, rapid, and effective system through which people who experience a vaccinerelated injury can be compensated. I strongly urge that the committee vote against HF712. Thank you for your time.

03-04-2025

Andrew Bowler

I opposed this bill. Americans are ALREADY PROTECTED federally. Quit screwing around with our shots and health choices. Stuff like this is going to scare manufacturers and scientists away from our state. We're supposed to be better than this.

03-04-2025

Tessa Cantonwine

Please stop with this madness. This bill is basically trying to do the equivalent of making peanuts illegal in Iowa just because a minority of Iowans have a peanut allergy. If you don't want a vaccine or don't trust them, don't get one. The vast majority of us don't want to have our ability to obtain these blocked by a nanny state. I've received 7 COVID vaccines since they've been made available to the public (the original 2 series shot, plus boosters) and have not had a single issue. Most of my family, friends, and acquaintances have received them also and have had no issues. Most individuals I know have not had issues with other vaccines either. Stop fear mongering and trying to block Iowans from making their own medical/health decisions and forcing them to possibly travel out of state.

03-04-2025

Tim Stumo

I fully support House File 712, which upholds the fundamental principle that those who manufacture and distribute medical products should be held accountable for their safety. Under current federal law, vaccine manufacturers enjoy broad immunity from liability, leaving individuals and families without legal recourse in cases of vaccinerelated injuries. This bill seeks to restore accountability by ensuring no vaccine is distributed, sold, or administered in Iowa unless its manufacturer waives immunity from suit for injuries caused by design defects.House File 712 prioritizes transparency and consumer protection, reinforcing the trust between the medical industry and the public. When companies know they are liable for harm caused by their products, they are incentivized to uphold the highest safety standards. By passing this legislation, Iowa will set a precedent that encourages corporate responsibility while protecting the rights of individuals.I urge legislators to stand with the people of Iowa and support HF 712. This bill is not antivaccineit is proaccountability and prosafety. No company should be above the law regarding the wellbeing of our citizens.

03-04-2025

Janine Johnson

Vote no to this bill. I do not support this bill that would severely limit the availability of vaccines in the state of Iowa. Unfortunately, there are a few cases of individuals who have been harmed by vaccines, however, with any medical intervention, there is a risk. This is why we use informed consent and the ethical principle of autonomy, so we can balance the risks and benefits and choose for ourselves. The state legislators need to stop attempting to practice medicine through this type of legislation. This is a poorly veiled attempt at controlling our right to health care.

03-04-2025

Amy Webb

03-04-2025

Emily Castelline

I oppose HF 712 and urge you to reject it. Iowans should continue to be able to choose to be vaccinated. Too many people in parts of the country have stopped vaccinating their children and herd immunity is going to suffer more, as shown by the recent measles outbreak. If all the health professionals are opposed to this bill, that should bear more weight than unsubstantiated opinion.

03-04-2025

Mary Fielder

I strongly oppose this bill HF 712. I have the right to receive vaccines if I want to protect my own health.If people don't want a vaccine then they have the right to say no but dont take my right to say yes to any vaccine available that my own doctor would recommend for my health at my age. I'm also old enough to make my own decisions at 67!

03-04-2025

Melissa Gyure

I do NOT support this bill, HF712. Our state government should NOT interfere with a decision that my doctor and I discuss and decide is best for me or my family. For well over 50 years I have received vaccines without complications. My parents in their 80s and 90s have received vaccines without complications. Vaccines safe lives. All medical procedures have risks which is why you consult with your doctor and weigh the options. Do NOT take away my right to decide my medical care with my doctor. Do NOT put me or my family members at risk for diseases that could be prevented with vaccinations. You, are legislators. Most of you are not scientists nor doctors or nurses. Do your own research from nonbiased sources. Do NOT rely on a source. Please vote against HF712. Thank you

03-04-2025

Annamarie Knief

I strongly oppose this bill. It is absurd that this legislative session is entertaining making vaccines less accessible to Iowans. Do we want measles outbreaks in our state? Do we want deaths from PREVENTABLE diseases? Legislators are to work for the common good, and the protection that vaccines provide to children, immunocompromised, the elderly, and nearly everyone else far outweigh the outliers of those who experience adverse reactions.

03-04-2025

Sally Ortgies Ortgies

I strongly OPPOSE this bill. It will limit the availability of vaccines in our state. I want to maintain my right to be vaccinated in my own state. There are already programs in place that provide protection for those rare cases of adverse reactions to vaccines. Vote NO on this bill.

03-04-2025

Mara Van Ee

I strongly oppose HF 712. I do not believe that people understand what the potential of this bill means because of the way it is worded. This is essentially a ban on all vaccinations in the state of Iowa! This is insane and I feel this bill is being purposefully worded to be misunderstood. The backlash to SF 360 was intense and your answer was to find a backdoor to be even more limiting? This is detrimental to the health of all Iowans.

03-04-2025

Kayla Ferris

I oppose this bill. HF 712 would make accessing all vaccines in Iowa difficult if not impossible.The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created 40+ years ago to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing life saving vaccines and in the rare circumstances someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation without the burden of proof that would be necessary for a trial. Requiring manufacturers to wave immunity from suit, including the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program would discourage vaccine distribution to our state and decrease of not completely prevent Iowans from accessing one of the most safe and effective public health available.This bill is against public health interests and cannot be allowed to move forward.

03-04-2025

Stacy Volmer

I strongly oppose House File 712, which would require vaccine manufacturers to waive immunity from lawsuits for design defects, including protections under the federal National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. This bill poses a significant threat to public health by discouraging vaccine availability and innovation. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and regulatory review to ensure their safety and efficacy. Imposing additional legal liabilities on manufacturers could lead to reduced vaccine supply, increased costs, and fewer companies willing to invest in lifesaving research. This legislation undermines decades of progress in preventing infectious diseases and jeopardizes community health. I urge you to reject HF 712 and prioritize evidencebased policies that protect public health and ensure access to safe and effective vaccines.

03-04-2025

Charles Dillon

Good grief! I like my vaccines and am horrified that the bill that would waive vaccine liability is even being considered. Ugh. Please vote no to prevent this bill getting out of committee and let me decide what's best for me!

03-04-2025

Cheryl Schnoebelen

HF172 is a horrible bill that will result in many people not being able to get vaccines. I am almost 80yrs. old and need vaccine protection I am also an R.N. and know how important childhood vaccines are for children This bill is just around about way to keep us from getting vaccines. At the same time you want to protect manufacturers of pesticices. Please do not vote for this very harmful bill.

03-04-2025

Marissa Jennings

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are safe and effective, and in the rare instances that adverse reactions happen, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides support. In effect, all this bill would do is decrease vaccine availability for Iowans as companies would be less inclined to distribute vaccinations in our state. In a time when influenza, Covid19, measles, RSV, and more are rampant, we should not be putting up barriers to vaccine access. Public health should be the priority. Vote No on this bill.

03-04-2025

Rachel Bruns

Vote no. I support bodily autonomy which means those that want to take vaccines should have the choice to do so in consultation with their medical providers. It also means that those that don't want to should not be forced to do so. In recent years our society has been operating on the extremes and we need our legislators to provide rational and reasonable leadership when it comes to medical choice and public health issues.

03-04-2025

Katherine Burns

I oppose this bill. Vaccines save lives and the decision should be left between a physician and the patient to decide what is right for them. I believe in evidence based medicine. More harm will come from not having vaccines. You say you are for free will. Leave this to the medical professionals Dr. Katherine Burns

03-04-2025

Lisa Bell

I strongly oppose HF712. The medicines I put into my body are not this legislature's business. My access to vaccines is between me and my doctor. I am speaking today as an Iowa constituent who has a vaccine allergy. I had an allergic reaction to the MMR vaccine as an infant. As a 10 year old, my doctor ordered allergy testing to confirm that my reaction was an allergy, and our allergist confirmed, I am allergic to the measles vaccine in the MMR shot. I still keep up to date on my tetanus shots. I still receive my covid and flu shots every fall. This is a decision that should be mine alone, and not at the whim of this legislative body.

03-04-2025

Meredith Jorgensen

I am strongly opposed to this bill. As with all medications, there are risks and benefits that must be weighed. Those decisions should be made by individuals and their healthcare providers, not the state legislature. Avenues already exist to hold companies accountable when RARE vaccine injuries occur. We are living in a moderately well vaccinated society. What do you think will happen when herd immunity goes away? People don't remember that families could lose all of their children to a single polio or measles outbreak. These are not just childhood diseases to shrug off. Many, many more people will be harmed by not having access to vaccines in our state. It seems that Iowa has chosen to focus on as many ways as possible this legislative session to take away freedom of choice. So much for Republicans being the party of small government.

03-04-2025

Steven Gyure

Who decides what constitutes a design defect in the vaccine? Politicians? Lawyers and judges?This bill will simply open the floodgates for anyone that believes a vaccine caused them a health issue. While pharmaceutical companies do need to be responsible for failing to properly test their products, how many lawsuits will be filed for people with health problems simply because they received a vaccine?

03-04-2025

Jack Ohringer

I am strongly opposed to this bill. As a dedicated medical student committed to the health and wellbeing of our communities across Iowa, I am deeply concerned about the proposed bill (HF712) that seeks to remove legal protections for all vaccine manufacturers in our state. Plainly, this legislation will have profound consequences for the health of our children, neighbors, and friends. This legislation would open the floodgates for unfounded vaccination injury claims and would likely lead to vaccine manufacturers either making vaccines more expensive or pulling out of our state entirely. This legislation could affect access to ALL vaccines. A major landmark study published by The Lancet (one of the most highly vetted, world renowned medical journals) revealed that since 1974 global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives or the equivalent of 6 lives every minute of every year. The vast majority of these lives saved are children under the age of 5. To restrict (and potentially eliminate) access to vaccinations in our state WILL KILL PEOPLE.In the 1980s lawsuits against vaccine companies and health care providers threatened to cause vaccine shortages and reduce U.S vaccination rates. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Plan (VICP) was created as a nofault alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving vaccine injury petitions. This program has paid out over $2.35 billion to those with proven vaccine injuries. This program keeps vaccines accessible to all while fairly compensating those who do not. On Monday, the senate heard an antivaccine bill (SF 360) proposed by Senator Doug Campbell. He is a pharmacist who has financial interests creating unregulated supplements. He brought 5 Special Speakers who were allowed to spew misinformation before anyone else was allowed to speak. These experts included a chiropractor advertising himself as a doctor and most speakers were employed by Dr. Peter McCollough, a disgraced cardiologist from Texas who had his board certification revoked by the American Board Internal Medicine (due to spreading the same COVID19 misinformation that was shared at the subcommittee). Currently, he runs a massive wellness organization, selling unregulated supplements as vaccine detoxes and alternatives. In medicine, we call this a conflict of interest, and legally information like this has to be disclosed before giving presentations in a medical setting.Let me make it simple for you to understand. Listen to the experts, not the conartists. I love Iowa but if you dont let me take care of my future patients the best way I know how, I wont practice in this state. This entire bill is an insult to the healthcare community and I urge you to vote against its passage.

03-04-2025

Melissa Schnetter

Please support HF712. All pharmaceutical products carry risks and side effects that will effect some people. Just read the package inserts. We should not be providing a liability shield; especially for products injected into our babies and children.

03-04-2025

Jesse Richardson-Jones

Strongly oppose as a mother and an scientist. Iowans dont need this law. This will put vaccine access in jeopardy, which is bad for public health and bad for Iowans. We have a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to provide help for patients who are injured by vaccines. We do not need to allow wasteful litigation that will cause vaccine shortages (as it did in the past!).

03-04-2025

Julie Bautista

Vaccinations save lives. Let Iowans decide with their doctor whether or not to get a vaccine. This is not an issue the Iowa legislature should be deciding. Whatever happened to small government? Is this the nanny state now?

03-04-2025

Lindsey Pepper

I strongly oppose the passage of HF712. My husband is immunocompromised and requires vaccines to stay healthy. In order to protect him and my children, I want the choice to be able to get immunizations. If people dont want a vaccine they can choose not to have one, but to make it difficult for people in the state who need it, or want it, is taking away our rights. Irresponsible at best, for law makers to pass this bill.

03-04-2025

Jayne Thompson

This BILL is WRITTEN:"A person shall not provide or administer a genebased vaccine to another person in this state.A violation is a simple misdemeanor and is subject to a $500 fine per incident." THIS WOULD MEAN THAT :Covid a genebased* vaccine WOULD NO BE AVAILABLE FOR ME! This bill denies Iowans the Covid vaccine. Research shows that vaccines, including mRNAones, are safe and effective.mRNA vaccines show great promise in cancer research.This bill could deny cancer patients of potentially life saving treatment.*genebased vaccines utilizegenetic material (DNA or mRNA) to produce proteins that trigger an immune response against a specific pathogen.AS a politician you should not be making my healthcare decisions. Those decisions are between me and my doctor. YOU SHOULD VOTE NO on SF360.The covid vaccine is genebased, it is safe and it saves lives. This bill is not based on science and it takes away my healthcare choices. VOTE NO!This is not a legislative issue and should not be implemented. Legislators are not scientists, medical researchers or medical professionals. Iowans have a fundamental right to make their own medical decisions. VOTE NO!My personal story is that my 71 year old husband had a bad case of Covid one year ago. If he had not had his annual Covid shot, he would of not recovered and would of died. I am very surprised that the legislature would take health care decisions away from individuals. This is wrong. Please VOTE NOSINCERELY, Jayne Thompson 4107 E. Madison Ave. Des Moines, IA 50317

03-04-2025

Tammy Domonoske

Oppose. Dont get one thats called FREEDOM of choice!!! Vaccines save thousands of lives just look at the measles cases in the USA right now all unvaccinated and all preventable!!!!! Get your head out of your aes and solve REAL life issues instead of this crap!!!:((((

03-04-2025

Jessica Saunders

I strongly oppose H.F. 712, which would limit vaccine access in Iowa by forcing manufacturers to waive legal protections. This bill puts public health at risk by discouraging vaccine distribution, leaving our children and communities vulnerable to preventable diseases. I urge lawmakers to reject this dangerous proposal and prioritize policies that keep vaccines accessible and protect public health.

03-04-2025

Teryn Kilbride

Im writing as a parent deeply concerned about HF 712 and the impact it would have on families like mine. Access to vaccines is essential for keeping children healthy, especially for parents navigating complex medical and coparenting situations like mine. My daughter has faced medical challenges, and ensuring she gets the care she needs is already difficult. Restricting vaccines would create even more barriers to protecting her and other children from preventable diseases.As a parent, I should have the right to make informed medical choices based on science and my childs needsnot governmentimposed obstacles. Please oppose HF 712 to keep vaccines accessible for Iowa families.

03-04-2025

Katie Turpin

Vote no on 712. No matter how many people want to step forward and claim that they have vaccine injury, without proven causality, that is NOT science. Vaccines have repeatedly been proven to be safe and effective for the masses. The vaccine liability shield is in place to ensure that vaccines remain readily available, but there are funds in place for the few people who have adverse effects. If you feel that a vaccine is unsafe, dont get it. Why do you feel so strongly about taking away the choice of people who follow the science and choose to receive proven vaccinations. You will make our state less safe, not only through the lack of available vaccines, but also through the shortage of providers. Medical professionals do not want to practice in a state that doesnt believe in science and medical breakthroughs. And chooses to listen to the uninformed.

03-04-2025

Eryn Shriver

I do NOT support this bill. Removing protections from pharmaceutical companies would make the industry grind to a halt. Then no one would be protected from any disease. As we continue to flirt with H1N1 humantohuman transmission, I do not think it is wise to reduce our options for treatment.

03-04-2025

Susan Arnold

How interesting that the only comments displayed are by antivaxers. Dumb people who shun science. Hopefully when Iowans lose their right to protect themselves from disease we can all travel to states that arent so backwards. Jesus, I used to be proud to be an Iowan. How sad.

03-04-2025

Sara Tapya Salem

Im an Iowan who wants access to any vaccine I choose for myself and my family, I am against this bill. This would have dangerous implications on the health of the public. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who many have a rare vaccine injury. Vaccines are safe and effective, it is also my CHOICE. Iowa legislature talks about Choice all the time. Dont take my choice away.

03-04-2025

Jennifer Hansen

Vaccination is such an important way we can protect ourselves and our families. All current evidence and history shows that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated. Antivaccine misinformation that has been spread throughout the country is not be based on scientific evidence, spreads fear, and puts us all at risk of serious illness. If people stop receiving vaccines, all of us are at risk for serious infectious diseases that could have otherwise be prevented. Why is this even a question? Why are we moving backwards? Listen to the educated, licensed medical professionals and please vote NO!

03-04-2025

Deborah Leiter

I am strongly against this bill, which is based on false data and conspiracy rhetoric. Vaccines are safe and have saved innumerable lives. This bill would be almost certain to make it much harder to access them and that is neither okay nor rational. Please vote against this bill.

03-04-2025

Matt Rollinger

As a parent of a child injured by a vaccine, I wholeheartedly support House File 712. This bill is crucial in ensuring vaccine manufacturers are held accountable for harm caused by design defects in their products. My childs life was permanently altered after a vaccine injury, and the emotional, financial, and physical toll has been overwhelming. Despite this, we have had no legal recourse because of the immunity granted to vaccine manufacturers by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.House File 712 would change this by requiring manufacturers to waive their immunity from lawsuits for design defects before their vaccines can be distributed, sold, or administered in Iowa. This bill is not about restricting vaccines, but about ensuring that when a vaccine causes harm, the responsible party is held accountable. No corporation, especially one responsible for the safety of our children, should be immune from responsibility.I urge the General Assembly to pass this bill so that families like mine have the ability to seek justice when vaccine injuries occur. It is time to stop allowing manufacturers to hide behind legal protections while innocent children suffer. Please stand up for the rights of Iowa families and pass House File 712.

03-04-2025

Stephanie Warywoda

Vaccines have saved millions of lives. Please stop taking Iowas rights away.Iowans should have the right to a vaccine if they choose. Doctors shouldnt be punished for administering science based vaccines if thats what a person wants to do. Science has proven over and over that vaccines are beneficial to the overall health of our general population. Their benefit outweighs any harm. And it should be a persons choice. It should be a parents choice. Stop dictating what we can and cant do to our bodies. Please dont vote this through sub committee or into law. Vaccines save lives and you should have the choice to have one or not to have one. If you dont want one, you can contract, measles, smallpox, or polio (or any of the other diseases) that can be contracted). But, please let those of us who want to believe in science have access to any and ALL vaccines so we can continue to protect ourselves, particularly if were already disabled.

03-04-2025

Stephanie Shreeves

I am an Iowan who wants access to any vaccine I choose for myself. I am against this bill. This has dangerous implications for the health of Iowans. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who has a rare vaccine injury. We need vaccinations and are seeing firsthand how people are dying and we are having outbreaks of the Measles and other diseases from proper vaccinations not being given.

03-04-2025

Amy Moore

Vote No. the federal government already has the Vaccine injury compensation program. Let families make the choice to vaccinate, not preventing companies from providing life saving vaccinations from being distributed in Iowa (they wont be here due to this fear mongering that is trying to be spread). Again, this is a NO from a taxpayer and parent.

03-04-2025

Joyce Newton

I strongly oppose this bill. As an immunocompromised individual, it is important that I have access to vaccines that I and my Dr feel are appropriate. No one is forced to get the vaccine. It is freedom of choice. Leave the decision to the medical experts.

03-04-2025

Tara McKee

Vote NO on HF 712! Iowans should have access to life saving and illness preventing vaccines. Others, particularly with no scientific or medical knowledge, have no right to make this decision for me or my family. If you dont want to get a vaccine, that is your poor choice to make, and you can risk the consequences.

03-05-2025

Claire Olsem

I strongly oppose HF712. This bill is ludicrous. It won't protect Iowans from vaccine injury, it will just remove access to standard, preventative health care in this state. Vaccine injury is not the widespread health issue that antivax disinformation propaganda mongerers would like you to believe. Routine vaccinations are standard of care and prevent crippling or fatal diseases that have become nearly unknown in our time: Polio, diptheria,smallpox. Your parents and grandparents who saw family members crippled by polio would be so ashamed of your actions on vaccines in this state. If Iowans want to choose not to get a vaccine out of concern about vaccine injury, they can choose not to get vaccinated if they view the risks from vaccine to be greater than the risk of the disease. But this bill will take that choice away from the majority of Iowans who consult with their MEDICAL PROVIDERS to determine their risk levels and appropriate preventative measures including vaccines. This bill will do nothing to protect Iowans, it will simply make vaccines unavailable. Legislators need to stop practicing medicine without a license. These claims lack any reputable evidence and are driven by fear mongering, and snakeoil salesmen. If this bill were to be enacted it will be one more reason for our young people to leave the state, and make it even more difficult to attract medical professionals to the state in general, and rural communities specifically. Do the right thing and block this bill from going any further. Can you please find some legislation that isn't a waste of taxpayer resources, legislators' time, and actually improves the lives of Iowans? How about something that will increase our access to mental health care, or obstetrical care in rural iowa, or ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry? Or helps seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs? Or research into why the cancer rate in the state is so high?

03-05-2025

Dustin Olsem

I am strongly opposed to HF712. This bill, if enacted, would do nothing to achieve its stated goals vaccine manufacturers will not be held accountable by this bill, due to protections granted at the federal level. What will happen is that Iowans will lose access to basic preventative health care measures. Vaccine injury is not the widespread health issue that antivax disinformation propaganda pushers and fear mongerers would like you to believe. All Iowans should have the freedom to make healthcare decisions like which vaccinations get for themselves and their children in consultation with their own physicians or health care providers, based on their individual risk factors. If they determine that getting a certain vaccine is too risky for their health situation, that's a decision to be made by the individual and their trusted health care professionals, not legislators practicing without a license. The only thing this bill will achieve is to add additional barriers to routine healthcare for Iowans, as manufacturers will simply stop distributing vaccines in our state. We already have a shortage of medical professionals in Iowa and a "brain drain" Removing access to basic healthcare will make the situation even worse more doctors will leave the state, and recruitment of new doctors will become even more difficult. Please stop this bill and spend your efforts on something that will benefit rather than harm Iowans. Do NOT advance this bill

03-05-2025

Patricia Benson

I am opposed to this bill as everyone should be. This bill will attempt to end the VICP (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) support for vaccine manufacturers to reduce liability involved with massive vaccine rollouts. Even though vaccines are among our safest drugs rollout to hundreds of millions of people will result in some legitimate vaccine injuries. This bill's intent is enough to discourage pharmaceutical companies from making enough doses so that we can have herd immunity. THIS BILL, HF712 WILL RESULT IN A FUNCTIONAL BAN OF ALL VACCINES PUT ON THE MARKET BY MANUFACTURERS THAT DO NOT ACCEPT FULL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. Companies would be unwilling to make vaccines if it means accepting full liability in lawsuits. This will apply to all vaccines on the market now, not just mRNA vaccines it will handicap the vaccine industry in Iowa and in effect severely limit vaccine availability through regulation.As a retired RN I know vaccines save lives and are among the safest medical advances we have. Their use must not be limited. This bill is a smokescreen attempting to eliminate access to vaccines for Iowans. It must NOT pass. Politicians must stop trying to practice medicinelet physicians & scientists do their jobs. Do NOT pass this bill.

03-05-2025

Patricia Benson

I am opposed to this bill as everyone should be. This bill will attempt to end the VICP (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) support for vaccine manufacturers to reduce liability involved with massive vaccine rollouts. Even though vaccines are among our safest drugs rollout to hundreds of millions of people will result in some legitimate vaccine injuries. This bill's intent is enough to discourage pharmaceutical companies from making enough doses so that we can have herd immunity. THIS BILL, HF712 WILL RESULT IN A FUNCTIONAL BAN OF ALL VACCINES PUT ON THE MARKET BY MANUFACTURERS THAT DO NOT ACCEPT FULL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. Companies would be unwilling to make vaccines if it means accepting full liability in lawsuits. This will apply to all vaccines on the market now, not just mRNA vaccines;it will handicap the vaccine industry in Iowa and in effect severely limit vaccine availability through regulation.As a retired RN I know vaccines save lives and are among the safest medical advances we have. Their use must not be limited. This bill is a smokescreen attempting to eliminate access to vaccines for Iowans. It must NOT pass. Politicians must stop trying to practice medicine, let physicians & scientists do their jobs. Do NOT pass this bill.

03-05-2025

Josh Waller

I strongly oppose this bill. I am sympathetic to those who have actually had adverse reactions to vaccines. At the same time the high side of injury rate is 53 per million doses. That is a 0.005% injury rate. This bill will restrict proven medical care for Iowans and will harm and lower quality of life for the majority of Iowans

03-05-2025

Lori VanLo

Oppose this bill. Vaccines are the safest most effective way to keep people healthy. Do not believe people that use anecdotal, non medical examples as their go to for vaccines, these are usually found to be just flat out false or completely misunderstood. We have decades and decades worth of data to show how helpful to a society vaccines are! https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/home/about/ivsfacultypublicationsonvaccinesafety/

03-05-2025

Lori VanLo

Oppose this bill. Vaccine saftey has been studied for decades and e know it's one of the best ways to keep people safe from disease. Making it harder to access vaccines so result in deaths. People that use anecdotal examples usually are just lying or very misunderstood with what information they share. This bill would actually give power to pharmaceutical companies because instead of avoiding diseases people would become sick far more often more seriously and would fall right into the hands of companies that are fine making money when people are dying. Vaccines prevent that. https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/home/about/ivsfacultypublicationsonvaccinesafety/

03-05-2025

Elizabeth Patten

Vote NO! I believe that all Iowans have a right to any vaccines they choose for themselves and their family, I am against this bill. This would have dangerous implications on the health of the public. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who many have a rare vaccine injury. Vaccines have been shown to safe and effective.

03-05-2025

Lyndi Collins

Oppose. As a lifelong Iowan (and I doubt that the other comments are all from Iowans), I understand that vaccines reduce the spread of devastating illnesses. This bill would put our communities and our most vulnerable immunocompromised neighbors at greater risk for those illnesses.

03-05-2025

Anne McCullough Kelly

I oppose HF 712. I urge Iowa House reps to find other pathways to holding vaccine manufacturers accountable for negligence in their vaccine manufacturing practices. Broad sweeping legislation that severely restricts access to vaccinations in this state is not a helpful solution. Also, it is my responsibility to educate myself about a vaccine before I get it and understand to what I am consenting to. If there is evidence of negligence in vaccine manufacturing practices, should the company be held liable? Absolutely. There is also always the chance that a persons body will have a poor reaction because of a unique interaction that is really difficult to anticipate, even with stringent testing. Instead of passing this broad sweeping legislation, please review the liability laws and waivers themselves and craft legislation that will not restrict our access to vaccines (via manufacturers simply not distributing in Iowa anymore) and provides more protection for those who do suffer accidental vaccine injury.

03-05-2025

Melissa Gevaert

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are developed with strong science and a wealth of research behind them. They are safe and proven effective. Iowans deserve easy access to vaccines. If people are concerned about side effects, they can choose not to receive the vaccine. Do not make it harder for those that want vaccines.

03-05-2025

Martha McClurg

As a public health professional, I urge you to vote no to this legislation. While I understand wanting to hold vaccine manufacturers directly accountable rather than a vaccine excise tax settlement fund, HF 712 would have serious adverse effects on the state. Iowans would be left without vaccine access as vaccine manufacturers choose sell their products elsewhere. I want my children and community to continue to have choice and access to life saving vaccinations, and HF 712 would make both of those difficult if not impossible.

03-05-2025

Sara Carspecken

I oppose this bill as written. If passed, vaccine manufacturers could just pull all vaccines out of Iowa. This takes the choice away from people and parents that want to vaccinate. This also would put a burden on healthcare workers not just because of logistics but for the increases we would see in severely sick adults and children. Please reconsider and let the voice of the medical community guide any further decisions for bills that affect the medical community.

03-05-2025

Chrissa Hunt

Vote NO to HF 712. I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are safe and this bill would make it impossible for those that want vaccines in Iowa to receive them. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is an injury. There is already so much misinformation about vaccines. Allow Iowans to make their own choice for themselves.

03-05-2025

Amy Konczyk

Please do not in act a law that would in danger the health of Iowans. There is only scientific proof in favor of vaccines, not against them. We already need to address other health concerns and this will only cause more. Please start addressing and dealing with the fact that Iowa has some of the highest cancer rates in our nation. Our water supply is in terrible shape. We need more public health involvement, not less! Please do what is right for Iowans and stop wasting time on bills that are frivolous and wasteful! Fund our schools and protect our natural resources so my children and those I teach have a future! Vote no to HF 712 and all the other bills that hurt Iowans!

03-05-2025

Eryn Cronbaugh

As an Iowan who wants access to any vaccine I choose for myself and my family, I am against this bill. This would have dangerous implications on the health of the public. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who many have a rare vaccine injury. This bill would make it difficult for Iowans to receive vaccinations they choose for themselves. Please stop legislating things I can decide with my physician. Vaccines are safe and effective.

03-05-2025

Keri Manning

No! No! No!Most of the comments here that purport a link between vaccines and health problems dont even indicate whether the vaccine was was an mRNA vaccine.If people dont want mRNA vaccines, dont get them. But let the rest of us decide what is best for ourselves and our families. The demonstrated harm of smoking is undeniable, but it is still legal. Extend the same respect for the autonomy of Iowans who want vaccinations as is given to Iowans who smoke!

03-05-2025

Michelle Wood

I strongly oppose Bill HF 712. Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential in preventing disease. They also protect vulnerable populations. Vaccines are supported by the CDC, WHO, and medical experts, Weakening vaccine policies risks increased hospitalizations, economic strain, and public safety concerns.

03-05-2025

Paula Blake

I am against this bill. I've never had Covid, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Small Pox, Shingles, Whooping Cough, Tetnis, or Shingles. My boys have also dodged these diseases (except Covid). Why, because of vaccines. Those who study science and biology have saved millions of lives. I pray all children, the elderly, disabled, the military and all who want it will continue to get the protections they need.

03-05-2025

Amanda Jensen

I oppose this bill as a mother and life long Iowan. The benefits of having a CHOICE of vaccinations far out way the extremely slight risks. Please stop wasting time on unneeded bills, as there are already protections in place for instances that do arise.

03-05-2025

Leah Howard

Vote NO! This bill will only make Iowans sicker, and drive people out of the state! If parents dont want to vaccinate their children, so be it. They are assuming risks of their ownmuch higher risks than those who do choose to vaccinatebut that is their right to choice. Dont take that choice and a hundred years of medical science away from Iowans who want their children healthy and vaccinated!

03-05-2025

Brandon Butters

Please vote no HF 712. This bill will likely prevent vaccine manufacturers from distributing vaccines in Iowa because they will not be willing to waive ALL liability. The human body is unique and what affects you one way may affect me differently. Passing this bill will likely cause manufacturers to skip over Iowa and then we wont have any vaccines. There is already a Federal program should there be an adverse reaction. This bill is not in the interest of public health of Iowans and I urge you to vote no. Thank you.

03-05-2025

Jodie Schmidt

I oppose this bill. Vaccines are necessary.strongly oppose HF712. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and here at home. All Iowans our babies, children, adults, and elders deserve the protection vaccines offer. HF712 would make ALL vaccines difficult, if not impossible, to access in Iowa. Robust safety protocols in the development, production, and supply chain mean that vaccines are one of the safest products on the market. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was established in the mid1980s to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing lifesaving vaccines, and in the rare circumstances that someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation. Two Iowans were instrumental in creating the NVICP Senator Chuck Grassley and Dr. Peter Wallace, a retired physician from Iowa City! You can learn more about the NVICP here: https://bit.ly/NVICPFACTSThank you for keeping Iowans safe and healthy by stopping HF712.

03-05-2025

Susan Langan

Vote no on this bill. The decision to vaccinate or not is NOT a decision made by legislators. For a party who says they a for less regulation, voting for this bill is the total opposite. What experience and background do legislators have to make this decision? None. Vote no now.

03-05-2025

Leslie Huber

I am opposed to this bill! THIS BILL, HF712 WILL RESULT IN A FUNCTIONAL BAN OF ALL VACCINES PUT ON THE MARKET BY MANUFACTURERS THAT DO NOT ACCEPT FULL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. Companies would be unwilling to make vaccines if it means accepting full liability in lawsuits. This will apply to all vaccines on the market now, not just mRNA vaccines;it will handicap the vaccine industry in Iowa and in effect severely limit vaccine availability through regulation.As a retired RN I know vaccines save lives and are among the safest medical advances we have. Their use must not be limited. This bill is a smokescreen attempting to eliminate access to vaccines for Iowans. It must NOT pass. Politicians must stop trying to practice medicine, let physicians & scientists do their jobs. Do NOT pass this bill

03-05-2025

Maria Cervanrws

Vaccines are SAFE!leave the choice of vaccination to doctors and citizens. Concentrate your efforts in finding the reasons why Iowa has such a high number of cancer deaths in the country and fix that. Vaccines are safe! Stop interfering in Iowans health choices.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Schmidt Thoeny

I oppose HF712. Vaccines are safe and effective. We already have the federal vaccine injury program (VICP). In 1986 the federal US Congress recognized the importance of providing vaccine injured people with financial and public support. This program reduces lawsuits on vaccine manufacturers and provides free lawyers for vaccine injured people to get tax payer funded support.Republicans recently tried to pass a bill to protect pesticide manufacturers from civil lawsuits. This also wasn't about protecting Iowans. Just more timewasting political posturing.

03-05-2025

Allyson Larsen

Oppose! We need vaccines. Vaccines are safe and effective. If you do not want a vaccine or have questions, talk to your healthcare provider. There is so much harmful misinformation out there, that can lead to false assumptions about vaccines. The fact is they save lives. This bill would make it impossible for any healthcare provider to give a vaccine. It would also have far reaching impacts on research and the healthcare system as a whole. If Iowa wants the best and brightest physicians and other healthcare providers they will not consider passing this nonsense bill.

03-05-2025

cynthia doyle

As a healthcare professional, I'm horrified by the proposed legislation to ban all mRNA and DNA vaccines. What credible, validated, peer reviewed, scientific evidence did you consult before you advanced this harmful legislation? Did you bother to consult with the world renowned scientists at the University of Iowa or scientists anywhere?Vaccines are proven life savers. I respect an individual's right to refuse vaccines, but you DO NOT have the right to impose your fringe beliefs on me or my family.As a child I had severe cases of measles, mumps and chickenpox. Thanks to vaccines, my child and grandchildren were spared unnecessary suffering.Thanks to the Covid19 vaccine health care professionals were able to safely care for critically ill patients hospitalized with Covid. Thanks to the Covid19 vaccine my elderly mother did not die in her nursing home from Covid19. I know hundreds of people who had the Covid19 vaccine and NOT one of them suffered adverse health events.I strongly urge you to withdraw your dangerous, uninformed, fringe legislation.

03-05-2025

Randy Paulsen

I am 71 with a heart condition.I depend on vaccines to keep me alive. The covid vaccine saved my life. I also need the flu vaccine each year to prevent serious illness. My internal medical doctor insists on these vaccinations to prevent serious illness and/or death. Please do not kill Iowans by passing this bill!

03-05-2025

Randy Paulsen

03-05-2025

Erin Johnson Klitgaard

Numerous scientific studies have proven the safety of vaccines. Vaccines prevent a number of really terrible health outcomes. Penalizing physicians for providing vacciness to those that request vaccines is ridiculous. Iowans should be able to choose if they receive vaccines and after thoughtful conversations with their physicians should be able to receive them.

03-05-2025

Megan Schroder

I strongly oppose this bill. This would cause vaccines to not be available in the state putting Iowans, especially the most vulnerable, at great risk for preventable, deadly diseases. Vaccines have been proven safe countless times. This would remove my right to get the vaccines of my choosing as vaccine manufacturers would choose not to make their vaccines available to Iowans if this passes.

03-05-2025

Lindsay Piper

Vote no! Iowans should not have these choices made for them. Vaccines are safe and effective and every Iowan should have to freedom to get them without having to travel out of state. The people in support of this bill are sadly misinformed and have fallen victim to irrational vaccine fears.

03-05-2025

Neala Ellingson

I oppose this bill. It is our own personal choice whether to get a vaccine or not. It is not the governments choice to take it away. If you dont believe in the vaccine, then dont get it! But please let me make my own healthcare decisions! Science matters!!

03-05-2025

Marisa Keeney

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are safe and effective. This bill would undermine vaccination efforts that are critical to keeping us safe from preventable diseases. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Plan is in place in the rare cases of vaccine injury.

03-05-2025

Cathy Linker

I am 70 years old. While growing up, I had friends that suffered from polio. I knew women who miscarried because of exposure to measles. The much wanted child died in uterine... and t 7 months, they had to deliver a dead child. HPV vaccines have lowered cervical cancer death rates. Vaccines need to be accessible to all that are wise enough to take advantage of science. Otherwise, like my great grandmother ... we will be burying 3 of her 5 children .. death within a week from diptheria. Unless you are my doctor ... stay out of my healthcare.

03-05-2025

Sue Whitty [Retired Nurse ]

Dear Representatives, please to not move this bill forward. Vaccine restrictions will make it difficult to protect the public. There is a system in place to test vaccines for safety. This bill is not needed.

03-05-2025

Dana Thomas

I strongly oppose HF 712. The Iowa legislature needs to stay out of the vaccination discussion of which you are not educated nor understand. I trust my doctor and medical professionals and they need the availability of medications/vaccines to do what is best for my health. This bill takes my right to choose what I want for my health. Vote no to this bill.

03-05-2025

Lindsey Scott

Choice. Let people work with their health care providers to decide what is best for them. Let people choose to get a vaccine or not get a vaccine. Its not difficult. Government needs to STAY OUT of individual healthcare decisions. Vaccines work. Period. Criminalizing vaccine choice is DANGEROUS and people will die. Policies that show you are actually prolife like you say you are should be fought for, like SNAP benefits, affordable healthcare, adequate funding of public schools, and affordable housing. Stay in your lane and fight for policies that will make life for Iowans safer and affordable for all. Do your job.

03-05-2025

Dori Clausen

Vote NO to this bill. There is no reason to limit vaccine access for those that want to get them to protect themselves and others around them. There are already programs in place that people can utilize for the extremely small chance they have an adverse reaction to a vaccine. Vaccines are safe and effective. They completely eradicated diseases that are now coming back and killing people due to people not being vaccinated. People should be allowed to make the choice for themselves and their families. Politicians are not scientists or medical experts and should not be controlling what medical care people can access.

03-05-2025

Jillian Havran

Please do not support this bill. Vaccines are safe and save lives. There is already a process in place to report vaccine injury, which makes this redundant and unnecessary. Further, one of the governors priorities, based on her comments earlier this year, involves expanding medical education in the state of Iowa. This action will have serious adverse impacts to that effort. Providers do not want to practice medicine in an environment where effective, evidencebased protocols are dismissed and ignored.

03-05-2025

Nancy Baker Curtis

I am the parent of a disabled child and the child of a parent with chronic healthcare condition that causes him to be immunocompromised. Each person should have the right to choose a vaccine or refrain from vaccination after consulting with their own primary care physician. The entirety of the state should not be mandated to refrain from vaccines. This is immoral and not in the individual best interest of each persona and their right to have access to fundamental healthcare. If some Iowans should elect not to receive a vaccine that is their choice but to force everyone to not have access to a vaccine is wrong. During the pandemic my son was forced into isolation as a result of not having access to a vaccine. He was forced into the most restricted environment to receive his education. This is a violation of numerous disability laws like the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Olmstead Act and IDEA. Each person should have the right to elect the healthcare that best meets their needs. Mandating that vaccines be illegal for ALL Iowans is immoral and unjust.

03-05-2025

Heidi Lewis

I am STRONGLY against this bill we are setting a dangerous precedent limiting access to SAFE vaccines and furthering the false conversation and rhetoric that they are unsafe, yes there are always going to be potentially negative unforeseen outcomes (as there is with anything in life, particularly medicine) but to essentially limit access when there is already a compensation fund is ludicrous. We cant keep taking all these steps backwards as a state!

03-05-2025

Nancy Chaffee

HF 712 is a misguided bill. There are already provisions for compensation for individuals who believe vaccines have caused them issues at the federal level. The Iowa bill will result in companies refusing to sell there vaccine in Iowa leading to widespread disease. Science has shown vaccines are safe and effective. They prevent disease. Without them outbreaks of illness like the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico will become widespread. Vaccines are just good public health. I urge you not to support this bill.

03-05-2025

B M

I strongly oppose HF 712 because it creates obstacles to vaccine manufacturers unlikely to be overcome, therefore preventing vaccine access to Iowans. Preventing vaccine access is an immense overreach of government, an infringement on medical freedom, and contradicts substantive evidence that vaccine injury is rare and vaccines are critical in saving lives.All medical treatments carry risk. When my family members and I make a medical decision, including vaccination, I want to be able to work with my healthcare provider to utilize expertise and research to determine which option provides the least risk and best likely outcome given our specific situation. I am sure you do too.I cant imagine not having access to a preventative vaccine or treatment vaccine (including developing cancer treatments) in the state can you? Please do NOT advance this bill.

03-05-2025

Dawn Stephens

I am your constituent and I am writing because I want babies, kids, and adults to be able to get their vaccines in Iowa. HF 712 says that no vaccines can be distributed, sold, or administered in Iowa unless the manufacturer waves immunity from suit, including the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). Basically, the NVICP was establised in the mid 80's to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing life saving vaccines and in the rare circumstances someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation without the burden of proof that would be necessary for a trial. Two Iowans were instrumental in creating the NVICP Senator Chuck Grassley and Dr. Peter Wallace, a retired physician from Iowa City! You can learn more about the NVICP here: https://bit.ly/NVICPFACTSHF 712 would make ALL vaccines difficult if not impossible to access in Iowa. Robust safety protocols in the development, production, and supply chain mean that vaccines are one of the safest products on the market. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and here at home. All Iowans our babies, children, adults, and elders deserve the protection vaccines offer. Thank you for all you do to keep Iowans safe and healthy.

03-05-2025

Bradley Knudson

Say No to HF712! The science is out there, Vaccines are safe and effective, despite the mass hysteria surrounding them. I want to continue to have easily accessible vaccines! There are programs for the EXREMELY RARE chance an injury occurs from a vaccine. I urge our legislators to follow the tremendous amount of scientific studies that support vaccines are safe and effective. please do not let the fearmongering misinformation win. The cost of the health of Iowans Will be immense if this is passed!

03-05-2025

Amanda Hoffmann

I strongly oppose H.F. 712 because it would severely limit access to safe and effective vaccines in our state. The only result that would come from this bill is that many manufacturers may choose not to distribute vaccines in our state at all, making it much harder to get vaccinated against serious diseases.There is already a system in place for compensating individuals who experience vaccinerelated injuries while ensuring that vaccines remain widely available. H.F. 712 undermines this system and could lead to vaccine shortages, increased disease outbreaks, and higher healthcare costs for everyone.This bill does not make vaccines safer, it makes them harder to access and puts public health at risk. I urge lawmakers to reject this harmful proposal and protect our states access to essential vaccines.

03-05-2025

Anita Christensen

I oppose HF712. Vaccines have saved many lives. I dont think anyone trying to take them away understands the number of lives, especially of children, that were lost before vaccines were available. No one will want to give them here if this bill passes.

03-05-2025

Heather Wince

I strongly oppose HF 712. I believe this bill is being used as a tool to limit vaccine availability in Iowa.The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was created in 1986 as a way to compensate victims on the rare occasion of injury from a vaccine. One of the primary concerns that led to its creation was the potential for pharmaceutical companies to stop vaccine development. Given that vaccines save lives (both through direct action in recipients and via herd immunity for those who are unvaccinated), the loss of these drugs presented a serious threat to our Nations health.As the VICP exists to ensure victims of vaccine injury are compensated, this bill is unnecessary. Additionally, if this legislation is enacted, it would present a serious threat to vaccine availability in our state. Iowa is already experiencing a significant shortage of healthcare practitioners. I believe that enacting this legislation would only add to this problem. Competent medical professionals want to practice in places that allow them to use proven, effective interventions. While this bill doesnt read as an outright ban on vaccines, its evident that this is the desired result.

03-05-2025

Heather Wince

03-05-2025

Carla B Pope

I oppose HF 712. Vaccines save the lives of the vast majority. Although I have sympathy for those who have unexpected side effects, the widespread adoption of vaccines (herd immunity) is exactly what people who cannot take vaccines most benefit, as illnesses do not become widespread. Any message that government can provide about the safety and efficacy of vaccines is in the publics benefit. Also, I understand that there is a national fund that is available for people who have adverse effects of vaccines.

03-05-2025

Benjamin Lafayette

The absurdity and hypocrisy of Iowa congressional representatives passing legislation that reduces institutional, corporate and individual liability and poses extreme limits on compensatory damages (I.e. house file 161 and the Truck Crash bill passed in response to extreme lobbying and buying of congressional influence by billion dollar companies), only to do a complete 180 and give credence to MAGA conspiracy theory #5721. Vaccines are creating widespread public harm that isnt provided for by VICA? Ill take things that did not happen for $1000, Alex.Please stop wasting Iowa taxpayers investment with frivolous and meaningless bills that serve only to waste your time and our money.

03-05-2025

May Christensen

I am an Iowan who wants to choose which vaccines I receive and I am against this bill. I understand that there is a lot of fear surrounding vaccines. I also notice that this fear comes primarily and most strongly from my classmates who were incapable of understanding their lessons during school. Please do not perpetuate this culture of ignorance. Do NOT support this bill or any similar bill.

03-05-2025

Vicki Skiles

Hi strongly support HF712.Please make pharma accountableMy special needs sister was given all the Covid vaccines to keep her safeShe then was hospitalized with an unknown cause. She continued to decline.She was put on a ventilator.I had to watch her take her last breath. Another, healthy person, dying of a mysterious cause. I will never forget the panic look in her eyes, and how frightened she was..stop this madness.Accountability is not a crime..unaccountability is!Thankyou!

03-05-2025

Mary Mockaitis

I strongly oppose bill Hf 712. vaccines are safe and effective. I am a pharmacist and am very troubled by the measures the legislature is taking to fear monger. Vaccines, save lives, please leave these decisions to medical providers and their patients. The state is very short on medical staff. Medical staff are not going to stay in our state. They will leave.We'll have even a greater shortage of healthcare providers

03-05-2025

Cindy Newton

I strongly oppose this bill and belief our representatives will do the right thing in voting no. This bill would greatly impact the health of all Iowans. Vaccines are a choice each person deserves to have just as mask were a choice to wear or not. Please vote no.

03-05-2025

Stacey Reichling

The legislature should not impose legal hurdles that deter providers from offering essential medical care. House File 712 is an unnecessary and harmful restriction on Iowans' access to proven treatments. This bill creates unnecessary legal barriers that undermine trust in medicine and interfere with healthcare professionals ability to provide the best care for their patients.Please vote against House File 712 and any future legislation that limits safe and effective healthcare for Iowans.

03-05-2025

Michael Andreski

I am a 5th generation Iowa, and graduate of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy for my BSPh and PhD, and have been a registered pharmacist in Iowa for 42 years, and now teach at Drake University. This illconceived legislation would essentially end all vaccinations in Iowa. Vaccinations are one of the medical miracles of the past 3 centuries that have extended the lifespan of the average person, as well as decreased the horrible infant mortality rates seen 100 years ago. A small number of individuals with little to no training on how to examine evidence, conduct epidemiological research, perform statistical analysis are attempting to roll back almost 200 years of medical progress, often in an attempt to market expensive supplements that have no evidence for effectiveness.Please reject this attempt to inject garbage pseudoscience into the Code of Iowa.Thank you

03-05-2025

Lauren Thomann

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines provide immeasurable benefit to public health in our state and country. We have already seen the negative impacts of declining vaccination rates in our country with the Measles outbreak in Texas. This bill will impede access to an essential part of ensuring a healthy population and will further stigmatize vaccination by fueling the previously scientifically debunked rhetoric about their safety. If an individual chooses not to receive a vaccine, that is their choice, but creating legislation that puts our whole state at a disadvantage to easily receiving a basic part of preventative care is irresponsible. Reasons for people to remain in Iowa are dwindlingplease do not add to the list of reasons for our population to move elsewhere.

03-05-2025

Jen Ohannessian

Please vote no. Vaccines are an important component of public health. We vaccinate not only to protect ourselves, but also those who are immunocompromised who cannot get vaccinated. This bill will have dangerous implications on public health in Iowa

03-05-2025

Thomas Hartley

I strongly oppose this defacto ban on vaccinations. The result of making companies 100% liable in a lawsuit from resulting vaccination complications is in bad faith, and will only result in fewer vaccinations against preventable illnesses being available to Iowans. If folks are worried about the slim possibility of adverse reactions to vaccines, then have many regulations that protect their right to choice. We seem to have forgotten that the COVID vaccines took a long time to come to fruition during the pandemic as a result of testing and safety practices.I teach kindergarten for a living. It seems that the legislature has forgotten they passed a law requiring families and schools to have tough conversations and possible penalties if their student misses more than 10% of school days within a term. So if we are so concerned about making students attend school, it would stand to reason that we have to keep them healthy. This raises issues. One, students are coming back to school after illness more rapidly and probably sooner than needed. Those students are less likely to be sick if their families have the option to use all the vaccines available to them. Likewise those students who attend school with sick peers, should have every right to be protected by as many vaccines as their families desire.This bill doesn't protect Iowans from vaccine companies. Instead it limits Iowans abilities to protect themselves and their families as they would choose. As I have stated before, my kindergartners know that while we don't always agree with everyone in our class, we don't get to make choices for them. The legislature seems to have forgotten that. It does not feel like we have "small government" that is staying out of citizens right to choose.

03-05-2025

Linda Keezer

This does NOT prevent people from taking vaccines. It does hold pharmaceutical companies liable for injury. This is needed because we do not have effective oversight in place. Until we have complete transparency where the ingredients to our pharmaceuticals come from, there is no way the FDA can insure safety. Around 90 percent of all active pharmaceutical ingredients come from China. This was confirmed in Senate. The FDA lacks the ability to dictate to pharmaceutical companies that they must make ingredients in America or other safe countries. China should not be making any of our pharmaceuticals and ingredients. We have seen known carcinogens come through the supply chain. Contact Senator Cotton.

03-05-2025

Amy Lynch

If you pass this bill there wont be any vaccinations for any person in this state. So many people will die or be harmed. There is already a fund created by the Reagan administration addressing the rare problem of a vaccine hurting a child/person. It was created for just that purpose, to compensate the rare individual who is harmed by a vaccination. Please think long and hard about everyone that would be affected by this farreaching change.

03-05-2025

Alexa Tornberg

I strongly oppose HF 712 as this bill will not make life safer or better for Iowans. Vaccines are proven to be safe, however the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists as an efficient way to provide adequate compensation for those who have been injured by vaccines. Taking away Iowans ability to choose life saving medicine is unconscionable.

03-05-2025

Joanna Jordan

I strongly oppose SF712. Vaccines are one of the safest medical breakthroughs and their benefits far outweigh the detrements. Given that the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for when there is a vaccinerelated injury (which is rare), this is an unnecessary burden and a government overreach. This bill is a terrible solution to Iowa's actual health problems. The misinformation going around about vaccines is egregious, and legislators should listen to the science instead of manufacturing fear.

03-05-2025

Rita Bresnan

Vote no on this Bill. As a child I still remember my parents making sure we were the first in line for the vaccine for polio. I still remember their huge sigh of relief when we all got our sugar cubes. During Covid. I couldnt wait for them to develop a vaccine. I have gotten every vaccine that I was eligible for and I never got Covid. Do not take away my right as citizens of the state to freely choose whether i want to get a vaccine or not. my health is my business.

03-05-2025

Kari Kreemer

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from harmful diseases. By getting vaccinated, we not only safeguard our own health but also help prevent the spread of diseases to vulnerable populations.

03-05-2025

Barbara Farrow [Old age]

This is the worst bill that has ever been considered. Honestly. Are you wanting everyone to leave this state. I credit vaccines for allowing me to live this long and through COVID without lifelong complications. If someone doesn't want to get vaccinated, they don't have to, but don't take away my right to live disease free.

03-05-2025

Jane Robinette

I oppose HF712. Removing immunity means removing vaccines, which would take away the rights of Iowans who want and need vaccines against deadly diseases. Other options for compensation exist for those who claim injury from vaccines. Safe and effective vaccines are vital to Iowans. With measles, RSV, and COVID continuing, and bird flu in humans on its way, this bill is exactly the wrong move to make. Please preserve the rights of Iowans to get vaccines; they are a choice not a mandate. Vote no on HF712.

03-05-2025

Lindsey Krotz

I strongly oppose SF 712 and ask that our representatives vote NO. VACCINES ARE SAFE and the misinformation being pushed leads people to believe that vaccine injuries are common so much so that we must gut proctections by abolishing MRNA medicines altogether. This solution is not the answer. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who many have a rare vaccine injury. Vaccines are safe and effective.

03-05-2025

Renee Koester

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not allow this to pass. I have children with fragile medical history and these vaccines have saved their lives. Literally. My Father also has underlying health conditions and the vaccines kept him out of the hospital. Let the people of Iowa choose what they want to do with their bodies. You are deterring medical staff from wanting to work in this state as well with this bill.

03-05-2025

Ashley Jennings

VOTE NO on this bill. Vaccines are one of the best defenses we have against widespread illness, and the instances of adverse reaction to vaccines are FAR FEWER than the instances of illness and death that occur in those who are unvaccinated. Additionally, this bill would make it more difficult to continue to improve our vaccines and advance our healthcare capabilities. And it bears repeating that this is another example of government overreach. Healthcare decisions should rest with patients and their doctors, no matter what the situation is. We already have systems in place to ensure the safety and efficacy of our medical treatements. Those should be supported and strengthened if we want to protect public health.

03-05-2025

Laura Frey Law

I am AGAINST HF712 as this is just a means of making it harder for pharmaceutical companies to roll out new vaccines when we most need them! There is always a means to get help if someone has an adverse reaction but that is NOT necessarily the Vaccine company's fault anymore than than it is a peanut farmer's fault if someone has an allergic reaction to peanuts. Again keep vaccines accessible to those who want them and do not discourage their availability in our state.

03-05-2025

April McIver

Vaccines have been proven safe and effective over, and over, and over again. Compensation already exists for rare vaccine reactions, and there are waiver programs for people who can't or won't vaccinate. I'm immune compromised. My health and the health of anyone with a weak, immature, or defective immune system depends on herd immunity to reduce the odds of someone else spreading dangerous, preventable disease. Without that protection it's very likely that there will be mass deaths of people living with medical conditions, in cancer treatment, and the most vulnerable babies too young to have their own vaccines. There's a reason old cemeteries have so many baby headstones and groupings from disease outbreaks! Vaccines have been overwhelmingly shown to save lives and reduce human suffering.Please vote NO on HF 712 to help protect access to this vital resource. Barriers to widespread vaccination will literally kill people.

03-05-2025

Anjali Deshpande

I am commenting AGAINST this bill. Vaccines, like all medical interventions, have some degree of risk of injury even though it is extremely small. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program exists for exactly the purpose of evaluating and compensating people who have been injured after receiving a vaccine. Forcing pharmaceutical companies to sign a waiver against litigation would in essence prevent vaccines from being available in Iowa. This would have an enormous impact on the whole population. With the current harsh flu season, measles outbreaks that are popping up in the US, and the overall protections that vaccines provide to children and older adults in particular, limiting vaccines would be dangerous to our health and wellbeing. Vaccines save lives and reduce illness!

03-05-2025

Saralyn Schlievert [Independent consultant]

As a public health professional, I strongly oppose SF712. Vaccines are vital to the prevention of deadly diseases, and science has proven the safety and benefit for children and adults. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instance of vaccine related injury, and this bill has the potential to severely limit vaccine access for Iowans and result in much more harm than good.

03-05-2025

Amanda Davison

Iowans should have access to life saving vaccines. We need to trust our medical professionals and doctors and continue to vaccinate the public. People whom are immunocompromised need us to continue to do whats right and necessary for public health. Please keep vaccines available for all Iowans.

03-05-2025

MEREDITH CLINKINBEARD

I strongly OPPOSE HF712. Vaccine are vital to every Iowan's health! We want to have the CHOICE in what vaccines we get. This bill will take away those rights, making it difficult or impossible to get the vaccines we need. This bill would put Iowans at risk, especially children and seniors.

03-05-2025

Maggie Haddinger

Please do not push this bill through! Science proves mRNA vaccines are important because they provide a fast, effective, and adaptable way to protect against infectious diseases. Unlike traditional vaccines, which use weakened or inactivated viruses, mRNA vaccines instruct cells to produce a harmless piece of a virus (like the spike protein in COVID19), triggering an immune response. This approach allows for rapid development, strong immunity, and easier adaptation to new variants. mRNA technology also has potential applications beyond COVID19, including vaccines for influenza, HIV, and even cancer treatments. If you dont like it, give people a choice, but do not ban them.

03-05-2025

Kristine Magel

I strongly oppose this bill. If you dont want the vaccine, dont take it. Do NOT take away my choice. These vaccines are critical for seniors, as we have reduced immunity. You have no business meddling in matters you CLEARLY do not understand.

03-05-2025

Jacob Reichling

This bill is both unnecessary and detrimental to the health of Iowans. Establishing a higher standard for administering vaccines in this state risks access to life saving vaccines for 3.2 million Iowa residents. The vaccines approved and administered in this country have been extensively studied and deemed safe. Adverse effects are possible, but the incidence of these effects are very small, with severe adverse effects being miniscule. See the link below for more information about reaction rates to vaccines from the World Health Organization. Putting millions at risk for deadly diseases because of a 1 in 10 million dose chance of a severe adverse reaction is complete insanity. https://www.who.int/teams/regulationprequalification/regulationandsafety/pharmacovigilance/guidance/reactionratesinformationsheets

03-05-2025

Misty N

I strongly oppose this bill. Why are we listening to antivaxxer, pseudoscience, when actual doctors are telling you that vaccines save lives? My mother is fighting Stage 4 cancer, and vaccines keep her healthy enough to receive treatment and fight her disease. Stay out of her and my doctors office! Vote no.

03-05-2025

Aimee Bartlett

Oppose HF712.As an Iowan I want the choice for me and my family to get any vaccine. This bill would take that choice away and undermine the success and safety of vaccinations. Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and this bill would severely undermine the health of Iowans. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related injury.I strongly oppose HF712.

03-05-2025

Karen Maass

I vote "NO" to HF 712. Get your hands off of my choices and my health. I am a very healthy +65 y/o individual. I am at an age where I pay close attention to my physcian's recommendations on vaccines that I should be getting. I survived covid even though I was working in home health and directly immersed in care of clients who had covid. I survived because I listened to medical experts and not our legislators/governor. I am a person who has followed health recommendations made by my physician and medical experts since I was in my early 20's. I don't need legislators telling me what to do and limiting my ability to make my own health choices that do not affect them. I personally think I have done a great job managing my own health. Vaccines are SAFE! Legislators need to concentrate their efforts in finding the reasons why Iowa has a high number of cancer deaths in the country and fix that. Also stop the firing of scientists and researchers in HHS and NIL at a Federal level if they really care about our health. Vaccines are safe! Stop interfering in Iowans health choices.

03-05-2025

Fawnn Briggeman

As a mother who wants access to any vaccine I choose to give my children, I strongly oppose this bill. This bill will make vaccines utterly unavailable in our state. Vaccines are one of the safest health tools at our disposal, and this bill would create barriers to those tools. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccinerelated injury. This bill is not a good solution to Iowa's health problems. There is tremendous misinformation about vaccines circulating, and I urge legislators to follow science, not fear.

03-05-2025

Ann Gale

The CDC recommends that people get MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Infection with measles can cause serious problems, including stomach problems, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus problems, convulsions (seizures), brain damage, and possibly death. Mumps is an infection that can cause serious problems, such as encephalitis and meningitis, which affect the brain. In addition, adolescent boys and men are very susceptible to a condition called orchitis, which causes pain and swelling in the testicles and scrotum and, in rare cases, sterility.Rubella (also known as German measles) is a serious infection that causes miscarriages, stillbirths, or birth defects in unborn babies when pregnant women get the disease.Any danger posed by the vaccine is far outweighed by the danger of these diseases.

03-05-2025

Hannah Bott

This bill is a colossal infringement upon Iowans' personal liberties. If the motto on the state flag is to mean anything, this bill will be dismissed and not passed. Iowans deserve to access quality healthcare, not have their elected officials make healthcare a political battle ground for bunk ideas. The passage of this bill would result in huge losses for the state both as healthcare providers and intelligent, liberty minded individuals leave, and as preventable illnesses run roughshod over the remaining populous.

03-05-2025

Kim Mayer

As a person with an autoimmune disease.we need to keep vaccines available for all! My doctor and I will make decisions that are best for me and vaccines are part of my health plan..Stay out of my health plan and keep vaccines available

03-05-2025

Elizabeth Kensak

HF 712: please vote no. Vaccines save lives and are important to your constituents and communities. Iowa has higher than the national average cancer rates, and we need development and use of innovative solutions to cancer. There are vaccines in trials for breast and pancreatic cancers. My grandmother died of breast cancer, and my mentor died of pancreatic cancer. No one else should face the death of a loved one if vaccines could give them a chance.

03-05-2025

Aaron Mortvedt

Please do not limit the level of medical care and treatment that I am able to voluntarily get by banning this type of vaccine.This does not only affect Covid vaccines, but also cutting edge cancer treatments. Banning mRNA vaccines is short sighted and harmful to the states deteriorating health.

03-05-2025

Robin Poole

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines are one of the safest products on the market. If we dismantle the protections in place such as VCIP we would be opening the floodgates to baseless lawsuits. Which in turn could force manufactures out of the market due to liability concerns. We could then see a return of vaccinepreventable diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough, causing widespread illness, disability, and death. The VICP protects public health by ensuring a stable vaccine supply while still providing a legal avenue for those with legitimate claimsstriking a crucial balance between accountability and vaccine availability. Protect Iowans and vote NO.

03-05-2025

Erin Kaufman

I oppose HF712. Vaccines are safe and effective, and we must support scientific advances that will save lives. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has already been established in order to compensate the very small number of people who do suffer vaccine injury. Iowans should have say over their own healthcare decisions.

03-05-2025

Scott Amsberry

Please vote No on this. At a time when our state is facing growing cancer rates, this bill would be disastrous. Many of us need access to life saving vaccines and it is not in the interest of our state government to deny such access. The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution states that powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states OR THE PEOPLE! this should remain a choice between individuals and their doctors.

03-05-2025

Lonnie Harris

I STRONGLY oppose this bill. Vaccines work, the science has been proven, and diseases have been eradicated thanks to vaccines. If someone doesnt want to have a vaccination for themselves or their children they have the right to refuse the vaccine. If this bill passes it will make it more difficult to receive vaccines and TAKE AWAY MY RIGHTS TO BE VACCINATED! Vote no!

03-05-2025

Susan Martin

I strongly oppose HF 712. Vaccines are the most effective way to combat and contain illnesses. During the Covid pandemic, several of my friends and relatives refused to get the Covid vaccine even though they had underlying health issues that made them vulnerable to a serious Covid infection. Now I visit them in the cemetery.

03-05-2025

Jodie Theobald

Why anyone who lived through the years before these life saving vaccines supports this legislation is beyond me. Vaccines are thoroughly researched and tested and there are laws that protect consumers, unless Trump and Musk totally destroy the FDA, NIH, and the CDC. I stongly oppose,for the health of Iowans, this bill. I am deeply sadden that it was even submitted.

03-05-2025

Ben B

I am writing to express grave concerns about the proposal to prohibit the distribution, sale, or administration of vaccines in Iowa unless the manufacturer waives federal immunity from suit. While I understand the desire to ensure accountability and transparency in vaccine manufacturing, the bill as written would create significant and unintended risks to the health and wellbeing of all Iowans.1. Threat to Public Health InfrastructureVaccines are at the core of our public health strategy, preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and influenza. When access to vaccines is restrictedeither because manufacturers refuse to distribute in Iowa under heightened liability concerns, or because supply becomes erraticcommunity immunity declines. Inadequate vaccination rates can trigger otherwise preventable outbreaks, putting the most vulnerable populations, including children and older adults, at significant risk.2. Negative Impact on Vaccine Supply and InnovationHistorically, policies imposing unlimited liability on vaccine manufacturers have led companies to halt research and development or to withdraw entirely from certain markets, diminishing overall vaccine supply. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was enacted precisely to create a structured compensation system for injuries and to ensure that vaccine supply was not jeopardized by unfettered lawsuits. By requiring manufacturers to waive these protections, Iowa would risk losing access to many critical vaccines, undermining both present and future vaccination programs.3. Potential Increase in Healthcare CostsIf vaccine manufacturers choose to remain in the state and waive immunities, the likely outcome is higher liability insurance costs, which may ultimately be passed on to healthcare providers and, by extension, Iowa families. Moreover, should an outbreak of a preventable disease occur due to reduced vaccination rates, the costs to our healthcare systemhospitalizations, physician visits, and public health responsewould far outweigh the expense of a robust, wellfunctioning vaccination program.4. Burden on Physicians and Local Health DepartmentsLocal health professionals rely on predictable, affordable vaccine supplies to protect patients. If the bill discourages manufacturers from distributing vaccines, physicians and local health departments may face sporadic supply chains, increased prices, or lack of access altogether. This instability disproportionately affects rural communities, where health resources are already limited, thereby exacerbating health disparities.5. Undermining Public Confidence and TrustAlthough the stated intent of the proposed bill is to promote accountability, in practice it risks creating confusion and distrust in the safety and availability of vaccines. Public health experts have consistently stressed that vaccines are one of our most thoroughly tested medical interventions. Excessive liability burdens can feed misconceptions about vaccine safety, leading to further hesitancy or refusal and an overall deterioration in statewide vaccination rates.For these reasons, I respectfully urge reconsideration of the approach outlined in this legislation (HF 712). Iowa must maintain confidence in its vaccination programs by balancing proper legal safeguards with the continued availability and affordability of these lifesaving medicines. Restricting vaccine accesswhether direct or indirectwill hurt the very people we aim to protect, particularly our most vulnerable neighbors. Instead of measures that risk fragmenting our vaccine supply, we should look toward strengthening existing safety and oversight mechanisms, investing in outreach to atrisk populations, and ensuring transparency that builds public trust.Thank you for considering these concerns. I strongly encourage a careful reevaluation of the bills impact on the health of Iowans and recommend policy approaches that preserve vaccine availability and maintain public safety.

03-05-2025

Diane Jones

Once again, legislators who claim to promote personal freedoms and who are not educated in medicine, virology, immunology or any related field are pushing to limit what Iowans can choose to do to protect their health. Any person who doesn't believe in the efficacy of vaccines and the supporting data are welcome to refuse the vaccine. They have no business dictating that all Iowans must not get vaccines. This is yet another bill that will drive more healthcare workers out of Iowa because they are not allowed to deliver the standard of care. I'm betting most of the legislators supporting this bill have their own kids vaccinated. Good health for me but not for thee is not Iowa nice.

03-05-2025

Diane Jones

03-05-2025

Heather Roy

Vaccines save lives! I strongly oppose this bill because vaccines are needed and should never be criminalized. I would not have survived the pandemic without the Covid shots like millions of other immunocompromised people. People should have the choice of getting vaccinated without fear of criminal prosecution. Science is correct and science proves vaccines are tested, monitored, and administered in safe ways to prevent transmission, disease, and treat things like cancer. Iowa is leading in cancer rates. WE NEED VACCINES!

03-05-2025

Summer Bendickson

I OPPOSE this bill. Vaccines are safe, and save lives. This bill will make vaccines harder to obtain, and that will cause public health overall to suffer.Imagine the measles outbreak like Texas that's going to be nothing compared to what will happen if this bill passes.

03-05-2025

Rosalyn De Koster

I would be curious to know how many scientistsbiologists, epidemiologists, virologists you contacted and spoke with before writing this bill. We need to follow the best science available to us in order to make sure we can be healthy and safe. This bill is not doing that. Please vote no.

03-05-2025

Kathy Fictorie

This would literally kill Iowans! Some of the best medical technology we currently have are cancer vaccines that use mRNA tech. Considering that Iowa is number one in cancer cases, this amounts to murder and if the Iowa Congress voted for it we can hold them accountable.

03-05-2025

Gail Marincovich

I am strongly opposed to this bill! Vaccines haved saved millions of lives and have protected us from deadly outbreaks of tuberculosis, polio, measles, and many more communicable diseases. Because of science not opinion we have made strides to protect American citizens. Every single medical procedure has a risk that is common sense information. A penalty imposed for a vaccine that may cause a side effect would be disastrous. Soon, we would be back to living in a disease ridden country. This bill is utter foolishness.

03-05-2025

Cecilia Norris MD [Iowa City Free Medical Clinic]

I strongly oppose SF 712. I have been a primary care physician for over 30 years, over 20 of those in Iowa. VACCINES SAVE LIVES! This should be the end of the discussion. Sadly it is not because the misinformation and examples of people being harmed by vaccines is driving policy without the time for rational discussion and presentation of facts by qualified and trained experts. As a physician, I am fully aware that vaccines as well as all other medications, medical procedures, even nutritional supplements come with risks and benefits. That doesnt mean we put barriers in place to get these interventions. This bill would definitely do that because pharmaceutical companies would stop selling in Iowa. (I am no fan of pharmaceutical companies in general, but like everything else, there are good parts and bad parts.) A policy of this longstanding and detrimental impact should NEVER be allowed to be pushed through the Legislature in this short time frame. This sort of decision should take months if not years (because you are looking at rolling back protections of decades of progress). If you truly had good faith about wanting to do the right thing, you would not be fasttracking this bill and putting up smokescreens. Do your job of PROTECTING IOWANS. If the State Legislature wants to improve the lives and health of Iowans they should look at the leading causes of death and morbidity in the state. Of the top 10 causes of death in Iowa, 9 of them have been reduced or progress made in treating because of SCIENTIFIC medical advancements. (We could do even more if, as a state, we truly valued preventive medical care) Vaccine mortality cant even appear on this list because it is so small and far, far outweighed by the lifesaving aspects of vaccines. Firearms, on the other hand, cause exponentially more deaths than they save, especially among children. Yet the state gives guns more rights than they give women. Chemicals used in farming cause cancer as well as autoimmune diseases, yet the State Legislature wants to grant protections to pesticide manufacturers for diseases caused by their products (SF 394). The hypocrisy is so overwhelming! If you dont trust welltrained, caring medical providers, dont go to them, but dont take away the ability of others to do so.

03-05-2025

Jeannie Wahl

I do not support this bill HF712!! As a healthcare provider I have administered many, many a vaccine!! They are safe, effective & save lives!! The rabies vaccine saved my husbands life!!! There is already a program to report adverse reactions!!! Vaccines should be a personal choice!! If this passes I have heard that people are thinking of moving out of Iowa!!! Please do not pass!! Respectfully submitted!

03-05-2025

April O'Tool

This bill is needed in Iowa I know far too many mamas who have lost a child due to a vaccine injury, mamas who are driving their kids all over for appointments for therapies because of vaccine injuries, friends who have lost loved ones to vaccine injuries. Make pharma liable again for the products they put out. I have spent years healing my family and myself of the side effects of vaccines. Immunity from liability defies the constitution and the right to due process. Restore accountability!

03-05-2025

Lindsay Brown

I strongly oppose HF 712. I want the right to have access to any vaccine I want for my own health. I have a medically fragile child who needs to be protected from illnesses and deserves access to life protecting vaccines.

03-05-2025

Deborah Miller

Vaccines are tested and approved by the FDA before they can be administered to the general public. As an older Iowan who lived through the polio epidemic and waited in long lines for those vaccines, I fully support the availability of vaccines for all Iowans who CHOOSE TO RECEIVE them. Vaccines are an effective means of protecting the health of our citizens and should not be restricted in our state. Please vote NO on this bill.

03-05-2025

Allison Bielenberg

I strongly oppose HF712. First of all VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. With that said there is no need for this legislation as it duplicates efforts that are already in place for those impacted by vaccine injury. What this bill will actually do, regardless of what it intends to do, is reduce access to vaccines in the State of Iowa I want to be able to access vaccines as that's my choice for myself and my family. We're already seeing pockets of vaccine preventable outbreaks measles in Texas and the resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough) here in Iowa. Both completely preventable. The impact of vaccine misinformation and disinformation has had on our childhood vaccination rates puts us at risk of seeing more outbreaks in our state. In regards to the risk of vaccine injury look at MMR's risk there's a 0.03% chance of febrile seizures. On the other hand if an unvaccinated child is exposed to measles, a 90% chance they'll get sick. Then a 40% chance that child will need to be hospitalized. We don't have the healthcare infrastructure to handle the consequences this bill would leave on Iowa's children. VACCINES WORK. This bill is dangerous, and vaccines are safe. Please NOT support this bill.

03-05-2025

Pam Vogel

I oppose this bill. Vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective and have in many cases eradicated diseases. Now, here we are with measles outbreak in states due to people who did not get vaccinated and who deny the science of vaccines. This bill hides what the real intent is and that is to limit access to vaccines. We need more access to that which keeps people safe and in good health.

03-05-2025

Laura Clausen

Come on! What in the world GOOD would this do?! That was rhetorical. It would do no GOOD! None. This is not legislation it is punishing those that dont think like you. Modern medicine keeps people alive longer, provides a better quality of life and ensures children have preventable diseases protection. A child just died of measles in Texas. I do not want that for children in our state. Vaccines need to be a choice and medical professionals need to have proper access to be able to provide them! What in the world are we doing?! Legislate something important! This does nothing to make medical professionals want to come to our state. It drives them away! We need doctors, nurses, pharmacists and the whole medical professionals teams to ensure our state has a population. Quit with the agenda!

03-05-2025

Ann Tigges

I am opposed to HF712 and I am asking lawmakers to vote no on this bill. As a country, we already have a system in place for individuals to file a claim against a manufacture if they are injured or become severely ill. For those who are unaware, this program is called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. If this bill takes effect, no manufacture will want to provide vaccines to the state of Iowa. Iowans should be able to decide what is best for them and their families, not the government. By restricting access to vaccines, especially in a time where there are now mumps outbreaks, flu infections are at their highest in years and we now have the threat of avian flu crossing over to humans. We need vaccines. Your personal feelings about them should not prevent others from having the freedom of choice.

03-05-2025

Traci Ciepiela

I am vaccine injured by Pfizer's Covid shot, but I consider myself one of the luckier ones. I can still hold a job. I volunteer with React19 the only organization out there that is trying to help people like me. I have spoken to many vaccine injured individuals who can no longer hold a job. Most of them were successful people prior to the jab. Most of them because they can't work applied for Disability. Most of them have been rejected by the federal government. What are they supposed to do now? We can't sue the very people who made millions on injuring us. The federal government has abandoned a lot of us. What are we left with? Because individuals can't get disability I know one vaccine injured woman about to lose her house, due to a tax bill she can't pay. She is about to be homeless. Everyone has abandoned us. What are we left with? We were injured by a product created by companies and we can't sue them to help us. I email the Iowa Attorney General in hopes she would join the 11 or so other states suing the manufacturers of these shots for false advertising. I even sent her my book which I wrote about my experience through Covid and Injury from a poison the pharmaceutical companies claimed were "safe and effective." It has been more than two months since I sent the first email, and a month since I sent a reminder asking for her response and all I got were "crickets" So it looks like we the injured are being abandoned by the state as well in the only area an attny general has found to try to sue. Pass this legislation so there aren't anymore people left to fend for themselves, anymore people who lose their house, and anymore people who are facing medical bills they can't pay because they can't work. Please don't abandon us too.

03-05-2025

Sara Walsh

03-05-2025

Ana Abraham

I am strongly against this bill. Iowans deserve to choose vaccines. This would have dangerous implications on the health of the public. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who may have a rare vaccine injury. Vaccines are safe and effective.

03-05-2025

Traci Ciepiela

I want to address one more thing I see people discussing in earlier comments. The VICP program has done little to nothing for the Covid injured. I wrote an article about it in Uncover DC, the article is attached and here is the URL https://uncoverdc.com/2025/02/14/unseenconsequencesthestrugglefordisabilityamongvaccineinjuredThe article points out the money spent in the last year on vaccine injury, very little went to anyone with a Covid injury. So I don't believe VICP is doing anything to help. But why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for a private company's disaster?

Attachment

03-05-2025

alyssa palante

03-05-2025

T P

I am strongly opposed to this, and take it as an attack on people with disabilities. Vaccines save lives, end of story. If you have ever loved someone with a compromised immune system, you would understand that these vaccines are one small way they can be protected. There are disease we have completely eradicated thanks to vaccines, and now making comebacks thanks to the any vaccine movements. My life and my loved ones lives are worth protecting.

03-05-2025

Michelle McKenna

I strongly oppose this bill. It is an attack on the health of Iowans, the Healthcare system, and science. This bill could endanger the health and wellbeing of countless individuals. It is a limit of freedom to receive vaccines and manage our own health. Please vote no on this bill. Follow science, not misinformation and fear.

03-05-2025

Tomi Nation

I strongly oppose this bill I have been vaccinated for years as well as my children and other family members with no medical issues this includes the Covid vaccine. Elected officials doing anything to try and prevent companies that have already passed safety measures from providing vaccines to Iowa suns up to a few politicians deciding to put many Iowans lives at risk by taking away medically proven vaccines that many Iowans for years along with their doctors have chosen to be something they want as a part of their personal healthcare.

03-05-2025

Anna Wolvers

Please vote yes on this! It is long over due. I am a vax injured resident of Iowa. I have multiple allergies and an auto immune disease. I was injured to a flu shot in college. All You have to do is look at poor Alexis Lorenz and the pain and suffering and mistreatment from medical doctors for five and a half months, to see they're not all safe and effective for all people!! And to think they're not liable for any of it is absured! We're not saying eliminate Vaccines for those who want them, we're saying hold them accountable. We never think it'll happen to us or loved ones, until it does. This is common sense, vote YES please.

03-05-2025

Miranda Maday [social worker]

I am writing in opposition of HF 712. HF 712 would make ALL vaccines difficult if not impossible to access in Iowa. Robust safety protocols in the development, production, and supply chain mean that vaccines are one of the safest medical products on the market. This bill would be harmful to healthcare workers and immunocompromised Iowans, such as cancer patients. It would also be damaging to any efforts to recruit and retain healthcare providers in Iowa, especially those within rural communities.Lastly, the NVICP was established in the mid 80's to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing lifesaving vaccines and in the very rare circumstances someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation without the burden of proof that would be necessary for a trial. Two Iowans were instrumental in creating the NVICP Senator Chuck Grassley and Dr. Peter Wallace, a retired physician from Iowa City. Any discussion of the true risks of vaccination should be balanced by acknowledgment of the wellestablished benefits of vaccines in preventing disease, disability and deaths from infectious diseases.

03-05-2025

Tork Harman

Another bill has been introduced that impacts access to life saving medicine. HF 712 would prohibit a vaccine from being distributed, sold, or administered in the state unless the manufacturer waives certain protections from lawsuits granted under federal law. This would likely prevent many vaccines from being available to Iowans. As a physician, this is a terribly bad idea and bad bill.Tork Harman MD

03-05-2025

Kathleen Stull

This bill causes more harm than benefit by restricting our ability as citizens to make our own choice. Id prefer to see action related to education than threatening legal action against professionals acting within their oath to do no harm.

03-05-2025

Yvonne Avila

Please pass this on behalf of all the children. Accountability is needed at all levels. Many children are suffering and the parents are filled with regrets & large medical bills. No one has cared enough to hold big pharma accountable and help these families. Put an end to this and hold them accountable!

03-05-2025

Charity Heide

As a person with a primary immune deficiency,I strongly oppose this bill. It is dangerous amd reckless for the "healthy" community, and potentially fatal for mine. We rely on a strongly vaccinated population around us to help protect themselves and us, since our bodies struggle to defend ourselves. If this bill passes, our blood will be on your hands. I'm begging you: PLEASE VOTE NO!!!

03-05-2025

Jennifer Gardner

I strongly oppose this bill. Please do not advance it out of subcommittee. We already have the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in place to be an easier way for people injured by vaccines to be compensated. Additionally, I want all FDA approved vaccines to be available for me and my family. This bill will hurt the people of Iowa wanting to get vaccines and further drive away healthcare professionals not wanting to practice in a state with these policies in place.I find it interesting that you don't want vaccine companies to have immunity, but want to grant immunity to cancer causing agricultural chemical companies! We are the second highest state for new cancer diagnosis! Let's focus on stopping cancer instead of making our sate sick from illnesses that can be prevented with vaccines.

03-05-2025

Alex Writz

PLEASE vote NO on this bill, HF712. This bill would lead to NO vaccines being offered in the state of Iowa. Not only are vaccines safe and lifesaving, but our government should not be involved in choosing what medical decisions are made between me, an individual, and my medical provider. This bill would also make healthcare harder to access for Iowans a problem which is already hurting us, especially those in rural areas. Iowa already struggles to attract doctors, and if this bill is passed, we will see doctors leave in large numbers due to their inability to safely provide basic, good, preventative medical care to their patients. Lawmakers and select lobbyist groups are NOT the overwhelming majority of those of us who have studied science and medicine listen to the overwhelming body of evidence and NOT propaganda. People WILL die unnecessarily if this bill is passed. Iowans concerned about "vaccine injuries" can simply NOT get vaccinated if they want to ignore the science. They should NOT be allowed to push their beliefs on my ability to protect my health, especially when vaccines are responsible for saving MILLIONS of lives. It is an unfortunate sideeffect of *just how well* vaccines work, that we have forgotten all those (many being children) who died prior to the availability of this lifesaving intervention. Please do not send Iowans back to a time where children losing their lives to preventable diseases was the norm.

03-05-2025

Delaine Petersen

Hundreds if not thousands of Iowa lives have been saved becsuse of these crucial vaccines. To deny citizens the choice and choice to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community is unacceptable. This legislation must not go forward

03-05-2025

Laura Heithoff

I strongly oppose this bill. Anecdotal evidence is not peer reviewed scientific evidence. For claiming to be the party of small government, Republican lawmakers are actively trying to legislate every decision Iowans make. This is a slap in the face to every physician in this state who serve the public faithfully.

03-05-2025

Mickala Anderson

03-05-2025

Ambre Grund

OPPOSED to this bill. There are no medicines or procedures that are without risk, but patients need to determine with their medical professionals which medications, vaccines or procedures are right for them. Vaccines must be tested for safety, but prohibiting their use takes the decision away from patients and from parents for their children. There is also no way of predicting what diseases may arise in the future we must maintain access to vaccines and the biomedical research used in their development. For children like mine with special health conditions, vaccines are essential to their safety and health, and also development of future treatments.

03-05-2025

Emily LaMantia

As you represent my voice, I ask you NOT advance this bill. First, there is no need for govt to intervene with a vaccine that is not legally required for people to receive.Secondly, this is not a good use of our govt funds to monitor this, rewrite laws, prosecute this, especially at a time when you are trying to make govt more efficient and less costly.Third, you would be eliminating jobs at U of I for those who study these vaccines, and threatening the quality of healthcare providers for those who will leave or not come to our state in fear of retaliation. This would be devastating to our economy and workforce. Fourth, these vaccines have shown promise in certain cancer prevention. Iowa has one of the highest rates of cancer. As our representation, you should be doing everything in your power to assist in lowering cancer risks in Iowa. Do not pass this bill.

03-05-2025

Douglas Castenson

Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal. I have an autoimmune disorder and rely on the accessibility of vaccines to protect my health. HF712 would severely undermine the health of Iowans. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for those instances when there is a vaccine related injury. I strongly oppose HF712.

03-05-2025

Anonymous Anonymous [Medical Student at Des Moines University]

I believe that this will hinder the growth of the physician workforce in Iowa, effectively working against the Governor's priority to expand it. I understand that the intent behind this legislation is accountability for those injured by vaccines. However, I think that this bill works too downstream of the issue. Instead of focusing on what is happening after the vaccine is administered, create a bill that requires vaccines to meet a certain safety standard as determined by validated research practices before being allowed to be distributed. Those pursuing primary care (family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine), ie the field that Iowans need most, will be deterred from practicing in Iowa if this bill were to pass.Thank you for your consideration.

03-05-2025

Jessica Ackerman

Vote no against this bill.Vaccines have been proven safe and effective since 1796. Per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, part of the National Institute for Health: "Serious or permanent reactions to vaccines are very rare, occurring once in many thousands or millions of doses administered." Most reactions to vaccines are mild, and temporary. They are a sign that the vaccine working as intended, as your immune system is doing what it should be doing. All vaccines, traditionally created ones, as well as mRNA (and other genebased vaccines) are vitally important, and have been proven to lower the worldwide infant mortality rate by more than two thirds (2/3rds) since 1974 (from 10% to 3%) per the Global Change Data Lab, in partnership with the University of Oxford, UK. The vaccine created in 1796 was for smallpox. For the earliest worldwide statistics I found, in 1920 there were 401,308 worldwide. By 1980, it was considered completely eradicated. Because of the herd immunity of those previously vaccinated, people born after that year no not need to be vaccinated, because the vaccine worked, and people no longer got the disease that kills 1 in 3 people. Vaccines are safe, and they work.

03-05-2025

Leigh Rasmussen

I oppose HF 712. Vaccines and other healthcare decisions are not under the scope of the Iowa legislature, and if they become so, is the state of Iowa willing to assume the liability for denying someone lifesaving medical treatment? Or accept the further decimation of healthcare professionals unwilling to work under politically hamstrung conditions and devastate the Iowa healthcare system?

03-05-2025

Jacob Thomas [Anesthesia and Analgesia PC]

Vaccines are incredibly safe and overwhelmingly effective. This bill threatens to undo decades of research leading to longer, healthier lives for Iowans. As a physician its insulting to practice in a state where uneducated skeptics are given license to craft policy that will hurt and kill Iowas children.

03-05-2025

Jacqueline Hodgins

I am contacting you to urge you to not allow HF 712 to proceed forward. Currently, mRNA vaccines are under research for the treatment of cancers such as melanoma and pancreatic cancer. This bill would not only prevent advancement of that research within the state of Iowa, but would also limit this potential treatment option for Iowans in the future. With the known risks associated with current chemotherapy and radiation treatment, why would we as a state want to hinder the research of potential alternatives? This bill has farreaching negative outcomes not just today, but for years to come. Do the right thing and prevent this bill from advancing.

03-05-2025

Anna Bloomquist

As a medical student, I'm disappointed to see another bill that would limit my future patients' access to lifesaving healthcare. Vaccines have a longstanding history of proven efficacy and safety. This bill is a slap in the face to your constituents and healthcare providers in Iowa. Reducing access to vaccines will cause more injury and death than a vaccine that's undergone rigorous testing could ever do. This bill will not protect anyone. Leave the medicine to the professionals who have studied for years to earn their degrees. Please, do not make it harder for me to care for my future patients.

03-05-2025

Lori Mitchell

Please vote NO on HF 712. Our state already has issues with recruitment and retention of medical professionals, why in the world would you pass any bills that make it impossible to practice medicine confidently here. You are not medical professionals and I ask you to listen to the doctors, experts, scientists. I want access to any vaccine I choose, for me and for my family. You do not get to choose that for me. This bill removes our personal freedoms and rights. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already provides support to anyone who may have a rare vaccine injury. This bill harms Iowans. My own health challenges and experience in my healthcare career teaches us to the science. You must vote NO.

03-05-2025

Sara S

I strongly oppose this bill. If we are serious about access to healthcare and recruiting and retaining health care professionals, this will be one more way that we will alienate and disincentivize health professionals from working in our state. There are other ways to make sure that people are compensated from injury without taking away the rights of Iowans to make choices about their healthcare.

03-05-2025

Katy Herbold [Sidekick Coffee & Books]

My name is Katy Herbold, and I am a lifelong Iowan. I was born and raised in Sioux City, IA, attended The University of Iowa, worked as a teacher in Adel, IA, and have lived in University Heights for the last 12 years, where I proudly own and operate Sidekick Coffee & Books.On November 2nd, 2023, my brother, Eric Askeland, passed away from melanoma at the age of 40, leaving behind his beautiful wife and three young children, all under the age of eight, and my mother. His death is a heartbreak that we will never recover from. The mRNA vaccine being developed at The University of Iowa could have potentially saved his lifeand it could save yours too. It could prevent other families, like mine, from experiencing the gutwrenching pain of losing someone to this horrific disease.This isnt how anyone should have to die. Eric fought desperately for every single extra moment he could spend with his family. He endured countless treatments, hoping for more time, and we were lucky to have several good days with himbut not without watching him suffer, and watching his little children witness their father in pain. It was devastating.I truly empathize if you or someone you love has experienced medical injury or misfortune, and if you believe it was caused by a vaccine. But I need you to understand the science, the statisticstheyre clear. The benefits far outweigh the risks. An injury is not the same as death. You still get to be there for your children, for your loved ones. You still get to live.No one is saying you have to get this vaccine. But please, dont stand in the way of those of us who are making the choice to protect our families. You cant demand the freedom to make choices for your children on one hand, and deny others that same freedom when it comes to their health.If youd like to hear more about Erics battle, about what my family endured, please reach out. We are still in pain, missing Eric every second of every day. Dont let other families face this same nightmare. Please, do the right thing.

03-05-2025

Necia Peters

Oppose SF712. Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and this bill would severely undermine the health of Iowans by introducing barriers. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related injury. This bill is not a good solution to Iowa's healthcare problems. There is tremendous misinformation about vaccines circulating, and I urge legislators to follow science, not fear.

03-05-2025

Erin Brown

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines save lives and if this bill were to be enacted, it would inevitably make vaccines more difficult to access. This bill sends the false message that vaccines recommend by our doctors are not safe and/or effective and puts us all at greater risk. My ability to access a vaccine should be determined by my doctor (whom I trust to be informed about vaccine safety issues) and not my legislators (most of whom are not medical professionals).

03-05-2025

Jill Brosnahan

Please vote NO on this bill. I believe in science and especially the value of vaccines. There are risks in life and decisions we must all make regarding our health. Inform yourselves and decide what is right for you or your family, but don't take away my right to have access to vaccines and treatments that are known to save lives. That is MY decision. Not the decision of legislators who have zero medical knowledge. I want every tool in the toolbox. If I choose not to use one, that's my choice.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Riley

This is a blatantly absurd bill. There is no scientific peer reviewed studies to support this. I think that data from the pandemic showed the difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated outcomes. Vaccines have been proven to save lives. The financial cost to everyone who has paid for treatment of the unvaccinated is huge. This is a selfish and ignorant proposal.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Riley

03-05-2025

Morgan G

Is everyone on that board fucking stupid???? OPPOSE THIS BILL. Vaccinations are what keeps us HEALTHY. Vaccines are proven to be safe AND effective, and as an Iowan it is MY RIGHT to be able to access any vaccine that i want, for me and my future children. Everyone wants to villainize someone or something so that they dont have to take responsibility that their quality of life is declining. This bill if passed would harm so many people, and even people who cant tell you if they want a vaccine or not, you cant make decisions like that for people. Vaccines SAVE LIVES. This bill will KILL US ALL. So everyone saying vote yes get your fucking brains checked.

03-05-2025

Kayla Cleland

I do not support this bill it is a dangerous piece of legislation that would severely limit Iowans' access to vaccinations and lifesaving medications. There are already entities in place to address what is covered in this bill. Vote NO.

03-05-2025

Tracy Schwandt

I am writing to express my concerns regarding House File 712 (HF 712), which seeks to limit vaccine distribution in Iowa unless manufacturers waive their legal immunity for injuries caused by design defects. While I understand the intent to hold manufacturers accountable, I believe this bill could have significant unintended consequences that would harm public health, the economy, and Iowans access to lifesaving vaccines. Below, I outline my concerns: 1. Reduced Access to VaccinesVaccine manufacturers may choose not to distribute their products in Iowa if they are required to waive immunity under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA). This federal law was established to balance accountability with the need to ensure a stable vaccine supply. Without this protection, manufacturers may view Iowa as a highrisk state, leading to shortages of critical vaccines for diseases like influenza, measles, and COVID19. 2.Increased Costs for IowansIf manufacturers face increased liability, they may pass these costs on to consumers in the form of higher vaccine prices. This could make vaccines less affordable for individuals and strain healthcare systems, particularly for vulnerable populations who rely on affordable immunizations. 3.Undermining Public Health Efforts Vaccines are a cornerstone of public health, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and saving lives. By creating barriers to vaccine distribution, this bill could lead to lower vaccination rates in Iowa, increasing the risk of outbreaks and placing additional burdens on our healthcare system. 4. Conflict with Federal Law The bill challenges the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, a federal law designed to protect both consumers and manufacturers. By requiring manufacturers to waive this immunity, Iowa risks legal conflicts with federal regulations, potentially leading to costly litigation and uncertainty for healthcare providers and manufacturers. 5.Discouraging InnovationVaccine development is a complex, costly, and timeintensive process. Increased liability exposure could discourage manufacturers from investing in research and development of new vaccines, slowing progress in addressing emerging diseases and improving existing vaccines. Existing Protections for Vaccine Injuries It is important to note that there are already robust systems in place to protect individuals from vaccine injuries and provide support if injuries occur: National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP): Established under the NCVIA, the VICP is a nofault alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving vaccine injury claims. It provides compensation to individuals who experience adverse effects from vaccines, covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. This program ensures that individuals receive timely compensation without lengthy litigation. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS): VAERS is a national system that allows healthcare providers and the public to report adverse events following vaccination. This system helps monitor vaccine safety and identify potential risks, enabling swift action to address concerns. Healthcare Provider Oversight: Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and monitoring by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before and after approval. Healthcare providers are also trained to administer vaccines safely and monitor patients for adverse reactions. Conclusion While I appreciate the goal of holding manufacturers accountable, I believe House File 712 could have farreaching negative consequences for Iowans health, access to vaccines, and the states economy. Existing systems like the VICP and VAERS already provide protections and support for individuals who experience vaccine injuries. I urge you to consider alternative approaches that balance accountability with the need to maintain a robust and accessible vaccine supply.

03-05-2025

Brigitte Steimel

I strongly oppose this Bill! Start following the science and health professionals advice! You work for us, the people of Iowa! Work on things like education, mental health and bettering our state. If you keep pushing, wasting your time and OUR money there will be no decent medical professionals left here! Stop trying to kill off the vulnerable and elderly in our communities!

03-05-2025

Deb Hansen

03-05-2025

Ann Gale

I opppose this bill. The CDC recommends that people get MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.Infection with measles can cause serious problems, including stomach problems, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus problems, convulsions (seizures), brain damage, and possibly death.Mumps is an infection that can cause serious problems, such as encephalitis and meningitis, which affect the brain. Rubella (also known as German measles) is a serious infection that causes miscarriages, stillbirths, or birth defects in unborn babies when pregnant women get the disease.Any risk from the vaccine is outweighed by the greater risk of the diseases. Decisions about vaccines should be made by doctors after years of study, not by legislators after reading their emails.

03-05-2025

Jodie Butler

I would OPPOSE this legislation on the basis of all the comments made by Louis Katz, MD in his comments as an expert in his field please read his comments and follow his guidance. It's time for this legislature to STOP supporting legislation that is built on fear of something instead of supporting its citizens access to healthcare.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Olson

As a board certified family physician, I do not appreciate any legislation that would inhibit access to life saving vaccines for the citizens of Iowa. This bill is a direct barrier to the physician patient health care decision. It is not appropriate to have legislation that develops a barrier or hinders the standard of care for the citizens of IA.

03-05-2025

Amy Kruse

As a nurse with almost 30yrs of experience with combined work in the Pediatric ICU at the University of Iowa, Boston Children's Hospital, and Iowa Donor Network where I am now tasked with reviewing deaths in the state of Iowa, I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to HF712.During my career I have taken care (or reviewed charts) of far more people with preventable vaccine diseases than I have people with vaccine injuries. This bill promotes vaccine misinformation and disinformation and is not based in science. It would make vaccines difficult, if not impossible, to access in Iowa. The attack on healthcare autonomy in Iowa continues to push more providers away from our state instead of keeping or attracting them to our state. Passing this bill will continue to exacerbate this trend. Please vote NO on HF712.

03-05-2025

Justin Scott

For some reason, the Iowa GOP thinks its a good idea to once again limit vaccine access. Undoubtedly, this will make it harder for Iowans to stay safe from preventable diseases. Clearly, theyre more interested in pandering to extremists than protecting public health. Keeping this bill alive will only make our communities more vulnerable. Instead of focusing on real issues, theyre using scare tactics to block necessary protections. Once again, theyre proving that their agenda is more about politics than peoples wellbeing. What they fail to understand is that the best part of science is it doesnt give a damn about what anyone believesespecially not extremist Republicans. Any move to restrict vaccines will only lead to more illness and suffering. Great job, Iowa GOP, you've found another way to harm public health. Open your eyes and stop risking lives for political gain. Please, stop this madness and focus on what actually matters: the health and safety of Iowans.

03-05-2025

Pam Redford

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines have been proven over and over and over again to be safe and effective to prevent terrible diseas. Partisan politics has no place in the medical decisions citizens are able to make for themselves and their families. Vote NO to HF 702.

03-05-2025

Kay Mackey [IDP 3rd District]

Vote NO on this bill.Vaccines have saved millions of people from terrible illnesses(think polio, TB, covid,) and death. The Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Programwas implemented to take care of the very rare instances of vaccine injuries.I remember iron lungs and tuberculosis patients having to leave their families to be treated in isolation for months/years. Vaccines have saved us from those terrible illnesses. If HF712 becomes law, we will see history repeating itself.

03-05-2025

Karen Impola

Vaccines do, rarely, cause injuries, but on the whole, they do far more good than harm. There is already a federal system to claim compensation for vaccinecaused injuries. I believe that if this bill passes, vaccine manufacturers will be reluctant to make their products available in Iowa. Therefore I urge you to oppose this bill.

03-05-2025

Patricia Endress Congello

Making mRNA vaccine illegal in Iowa is not only ridiculous but places Iowans in jeopardy of getting severe and long haul covid. mRNA vaccines have overwhelmingly been found to be safe. There is also research being done to cure HIV and prolong the life of pancreatic cancer patients using mRNA vaccines. Do not let people's religious anti science beliefs get in the way of real scientific research.

03-05-2025

Linda Bender

I do not support this bill.I grew up before vaccines became widely available, had measles, rubella, mumps, chickenpox, and more. Hallucinated during measles, luckily survived. I went to school with children who had polio.Vaccines are the best thing that ever happened.

03-05-2025

Jill Croft

I strongly OPPOSE THIS BILL!! Do not take away Iowans access to vaccines! The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists. There are ways to hold those accountable without restricting Iowans healthcare choice. This bill would make Iowa a poor choice of where work and raise a family! I personally have felt very safe for the past 50 years in Iowa growing up with access to vaccines & then vaccinating my children. This will not entice college graduates to stay, work and raise a healthy family! Why on earth would you want Iowans to become less healthy & possibly die?? Do not block our access to vaccines in Iowa!!

03-05-2025

Courtney Goss

Vaccines have saved lives, and have data driven results. A ban on vaccines is not the way to go. I do not support this bill in any way, and misinformation clearly runs rampant throughout communities. Could vaccines be improved? Yes. Should we stop using them? No. Do you think healthcare workers want to stop using them? Do you think hospitals will be able to stay open with no staff? Where is the forethought.

03-05-2025

Maureen Sandberg

I strongly oppose HF712! Vaccines are a safe and necessary way to keep Iowans healthy. There are agencies available to help individuals with adverse side effects or illnesses. Do not take away the availability of life saving vaccines for Iowans!

03-05-2025

Ann Culvet

Vote NO! This bill is dangerous, limiting Iowans access to all vaccines. Also will reduce health professionals who will work in Iowa. Health professionals dont want nonhealth professionals who ignore decades of investigations and research dictating how they do their jobs.

03-05-2025

Alina Beltrami

I am opposed to HF 712. This bill if it became law would limit access to life saving vaccines in the state of Iowa further worsening the health and well being of those in the state. Vaccines are safe and effective with low rates of injury. Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, occurs at a rate of approximately 1 per million doses. (Adverse Reactions to Vaccines Practice Parameter 2012 Update. Kelso JM, Greenhawt MJ, Li JT, et al.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) emphasize that severe adverse reactions are rare and that vaccines have an excellent safety profile overall. (General Recommendations on Immunization Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)). This type of legislature just instills fear into something that has been researched extensively and does not help protect the most vulnerable populations in Iowa.

03-05-2025

Shaylee Vander Velden

I strongly OPPOSE bill HF 712 as it will make it difficult, if not impossible, for Iowans to access necessary lifesaving vaccines. I urge you to please listen to the many qualified healthcare experts who also oppose this bill.

03-05-2025

Paula Thome

03-05-2025

Scott F

It is imperative that this bill does NOT become law. It is the job of the FDA (if its allowed to do its job under RFK Jr.) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaccines, not the job of state legislators to step in and ban medical treatments that they politically disagree with. If this bill is about protecting Iowans, why would some Iowa legislators work so hard to shield herbicide/pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits in a state that has the 2nd highest cancer rates in the country? Not to mention, the future of many cancer preventions and cures is in mRNA vaccination! VOTE NO ON THIS BILL. PLEASE.

03-05-2025

Jennifer Kelso

Vote NO on HF 712, one of the most egregiously harmful bills in a long list of disgraceful actions this legislature has taken. VACCINES SAVE LIVES and any useless fool who says otherwise deserves whatever punishment bestowed upon them for denying science. This "antivax" garbage is complete ignorant nonsense that comes exclusively from a minority of people that have consistently proven to be functionally illiterate and feckless losers. Let them all perish for their stupidity but quit trying to punish the rest of humanity.

03-05-2025

Shelly Meier [NUTRITION OUTLET]

This is something that needs to be done everywhere. Where there is no liability there is no incentive for safety. In my practice I meet so many people who have been injured by vaccines, with no recourse. My son was injured by his childhood vaccines and is disabled for life. Please bring liability back to the companies that make vaccines, it is essential to our safety!

03-05-2025

Marla Mayberry

I strongly urge you to OPPOSE House File 712, which would severely restrict access to vaccines in Iowa. This bill poses a serious threat to public health and safety in our state. Vaccines have been proven safe and effective through rigorous scientific testing and decades of use. They prevent millions of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths each year in the United States alone. The U.S. has one of the safest vaccine supply systems in the world, with multiple layers of safety review and monitoring.By requiring vaccine manufacturers to waive any immunity from a suit for injury, it will make it extremely difficult or impossible to obtain vaccines and HF 712 would leave Iowans vulnerable to outbreaks of preventable diseases. This could be especially devastating for infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems who rely on community immunity for protection. Vaccines are a cornerstone of public health. Restricting access goes against all evidencebased medical guidance and would be a dangerous step backward. I strongly encourage you to stand with science and protect the health of Iowans by opposing this misguided legislation.

03-05-2025

Amanda Caraballo

I strongly oppose this bill. The freedom to make my own medical decisions is a fundamental right. HF 712 would limit my ability to access the vaccines I need here in Iowa.The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related health complication. Vaccines are effective, and keep our communities safe.Introducing legislation like this while there is a measles outbreak in Texas is dangerous! We should be talking about the rigorous testing that vaccines go through to make sure they are safe, and have the fewest side effects possible. We should not make it more difficult for Iowans to access vaccines when there are many diseases that can be prevented by them.Vote NO on HF 712

03-05-2025

Shelby Anderson

I'm strongly opposed to HF 712. everyone should have the right to make their own health decisions, this bill goes too far by restricting vaccine access and creating unnecessary barriers to public health. Limiting access to vaccines not only puts communities at risk for preventable diseases but could also jeopardize critical mRNA vaccine trials for cancer treatments, including pancreatic cancer, which claims hundreds of Iowans' lives each year. Cutting off access to these advancements is a step backward. I urge lawmakers to vote against this dangerous bill.

03-05-2025

Kim Meggers

I strongly oppose Bill HF 712. Vaccines are safe and a necessity for a healthy population. My grandmas brothers died from tuberculosis and polio. How fortunate are we that very smart people developed a way to eradicate these diseases? My kids didnt have chicken pox that I had to experience. If we truly promote freedom in this country then we need to be able to choose to prevent these diseases. I feel for the families who have recently lost loved ones from the measles; yet it couldve been prevented. I know of many people who died from Covid. Any legislation must not take away our opportunity to protect ourselves from disease.

03-05-2025

Jeremy Orcutt

Please vote No on this bill HF 712. We the people still have a choice to take the vaccines or not. Why limit interventions that have saved so many lives. Individuals have the ability to do their own research and/or consult with their doctor before taking a vaccine. Why does our state continue take away the basic right to choose? People have a right to decide whether or not they want to treat a cancer diagnosis, but we don't remove treatment options because they don't work for some.

03-05-2025

Megan Weinberger

I strongly oppose this bill. It is a fundamental human right to make my own decisions regarding medical opportunities. This would be yet another step backward for the state to limit the accessibility of vaccines. The choice to receive should be left up to the individual, not the government. Additionally, vaccines are effective and keep our communities safe.

03-05-2025

LaDonna McGohan

I am strong opposing H.F. 712. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) was enacted in 1986 to balance the need for a stable vaccine supply with a fair system for compensating individuals who experience rare adverse reactions. The law established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) to provide a nofault alternative to lengthy and costly litigation, ensuring that individuals with legitimate vaccinerelated injuries receive support while protecting the publics access to vaccines. By requiring manufacturers to waive these protections, H.F. 712 would:Jeopardize Vaccine Availability Many manufacturers may choose not to distribute vaccines in Iowa rather than expose themselves to extensive litigation, reducing access to essential immunizations. This could lead to vaccine shortages and increased disease outbreaks.Undermine Public Health Vaccines are one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious diseases. Limiting access puts communities at greater risk of preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly among children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.Bypass an Effective Compensation System The VICP has provided billions of dollars to individuals with documented vaccine injuries while keeping vaccine costs manageable. Shifting compensation to traditional litigation would result in fewer individuals being compensated, longer legal battles, and increased costs for both patients and healthcare providers.Set a Dangerous Legal Precedent Holding vaccine manufacturers uniquely liable for design defects contradicts established legal and scientific standards. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and continuous monitoring for safety and effectiveness. No other medical product faces such a blanket waiver of legal protections, making this bill an unfair and scientifically unfounded approach.

03-05-2025

Brian Middleswarth

I am opposed to this bill as it would likely lead to ending of access to life saving vaccines for Iowans. We see the results of that lack of access in the measles epidemic in Texas that saw an unvaccinated child die and twenty others hospitalized.Your intent to provide safe and effective vaccines is good. The safety and efficacy of vaccines is paramount to public health and is why we have a rigorous process through the Food and Drug Administration to approve vaccines. This often is a process that can take 1015 years and includes at least four different phases of trials and continued monitoring even after approval.There can be adverse effects or reactions to vaccines experienced by small percentages of the population. This is why the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was developed. To compensate those affected while not forcing companies that make life saving vaccines to go out of business which is what was happening at the time the fund was developed. We want safe and effective vaccines this is why we have the process. To remove the protection of limited liability from manufacturers will lead to their withdrawal from serving Iowans.This will not promote the health of Iowans but return us to earlier times with the spread of preventable diseases that can have deadly and lifelong consequences that far exceed any harm that the vaccines themselves might present.

03-05-2025

John Thurman

Science has been at the forefront of advancement of society. This presents as disingenuous. mRNA vaccines have been worked on since the 1960s and I know that the people involved in this know that. I am not certain why we are playing politics with peoples lies. Real people get hurt by these things. Please stop playing politics with medicine. You were going to force physicians in this state to leave the state. And trust me, you need more physicians than what you have right now because the population struggling in the rural parts of this countries with a lack of access to care. Lets stop playing politics, remove this legislation from consider consideration. Thank you.

03-05-2025

Karen Weiss

I oppose this bill. The requirements imposed in this bill could make it hard to get any vaccine in Iowa. The immunity for manufacturers exists for a reason, vaccine supply and high vaccination rates are important for public health. I should be able to easily access routine vaccinations so I can protect myself and people who are unable to get vaccinated. Please do not pass this bill and threaten the availability of vaccines for Iowans.

03-05-2025

Patricia Allen

Making it illegal to give or get vaccines whether Covid types or regular will drive away any workforce with functioning intellects. All that will stay in Iowa will be stupid ditch diggers. Elderly nursing home patients will die with the next respiratory illness. Measles will pass to pregnant women and leave their children without functioning brains. Polio will make Iowa a major warehouse of Iron lung patients, and nurses will have fled to more enlightened states. Cancer patients will be denied new cures like the newest pancreatic cancer cure with 100% success in tests.Iowa has some truly stupid people if this legislation made it this far!!!!!

03-05-2025

Becky Chaloupecky

Please do NOT support this bill. The people of Iowa need access to vaccines. People can choose to not be vaccinated but please do not take away the right for us to choose to have vaccinations. Vaccinations save lives!!! Science is good and advancements in science are necessary for the betterment of humanity.

03-05-2025

Heidi Luett

Vote no to this bill. My son has Down Syndrome and is immune compromised. His life depends on vaccines protecting him. Our family has safely been vaccinated every year. Without vaccines, his life is at risk. If you dont want a vaccine, dont get one, but preventing immune compromised children and adults from receiving them is cruel and deadly.

03-05-2025

Phil Schulte

I am a physician in Iowa and I completely agree that vaccine manufacturers should be held accountable for adverse side effects of their products especially after the side effects of the covid vaccine were downplayed by many people including the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. However, the way the bill is written could open the door for all vaccines to be taken off the shelves in the state. This would be a net negative. I would like to see this bill revised in order to preserve Iowans ability to have autonomy in deciding which vaccines they will take rather than the possibility of losing all vaccines if no manufacturer decides to waive immunity.

03-05-2025

Kate Pace

I strongly oppose House File 712, which prohibits the distribution, sale, or administration of vaccines in Iowa unless manufacturers waive immunity from lawsuits related to vaccine design defects. This legislation is misguided and dangerous, posing significant risks to public health, legal stability, and vaccine access in the state.By effectively banning vaccines unless manufacturers waive their federal immunity, this bill could severely limit vaccine availability in Iowa. Pharmaceutical companies are unlikely to expose themselves to unlimited liability, which could result in shortages of lifesaving vaccines for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This would put the health of Iowans at risk and could lead to the resurgence of preventable diseases.Furthermore, this bill ignores the existing federal system for vaccinerelated injuries. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) already provides a compensation program for individuals who experience rare vaccinerelated adverse effects. This system ensures fair compensation without discouraging vaccine development. By forcing manufacturers to waive this protection, HF 712 opens the door to frivolous lawsuits that could drive vaccine producers out of the state and further restrict access to essential immunizations.In addition to public health concerns, HF 712 creates serious legal and economic instability. Forcing vaccine manufacturers to waive liability contradicts federal law, setting up a legal battle that will burden Iowa courts and taxpayers. It could also increase healthcare costs by making vaccines harder to access, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases and greater hospital expenses for the state. The financial and legal ramifications of this bill will only serve to weaken Iowas public health infrastructure.This legislation also sets a dangerous precedent by singling out vaccine manufacturers for liability in a way that no other state does. If enacted, this could pave the way for similar unscientific restrictions on other medical treatments. Public health policy should be based on scientific evidence, not legal maneuvering that discourages vaccine development and distribution.HF 712 is bad policy that threatens vaccine availability, public health, and legal stability in Iowa. I urge lawmakers to reject this bill and instead focus on strengthening trust in vaccines through education and evidencebased policy rather than unnecessary legal barriers.

03-05-2025

Mary Ann Ahrens

I vehemently oppose this Bill HF712. What would we do without effective vaccines to deal with a multitude of diseases and illnesses. Every person has a choice as to whether or not to get a vaccine. Everyone is different and there is no guarantee that each person will respond the same. That isno reason to ban them in any state. If it wasn't for the medical community and all that they do to help individuals you would probably not be here.This is NOT a decision that this body is even qualified to make and that is not even counting the fear factors that people spread that do more harm.You've already done enough harm by passing clearly discriminatory bills.For shame! Where is your conscience in all of this. Don't limit medicalchoices in my life.

03-05-2025

Amy Beisel

Please do not put restrictions on the availability for vaccines. As a former health care worker and someone who is currently employed with a company that has interaction daily with the elderly, I feel it is my responsibility from a health safety perspective to be properly vaccinated. As a mother, I believe that vaccinating side effects are minuscule compared to the actual disease we are attempting to prevent. This is a politically motivated issue and is not taking into account the health and well being of Iowans. Use some common sense.

03-05-2025

Debi Spiller

Please oppose this bill (HF712) as everyone has the right to choose what medications/vaccines they want to put in the bodies. I believe that I and my physician/specialist can have the discussion of pros and cons, side effects, etc. to make that determination. My life depends on some of these vaccines.The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is already out there for those that allege the vaccine complicated their disease or illness and can prove it 100%.

03-05-2025

Tim Gossett

Life is full of risks, and it's impossible to mitigate every one of them. We take risks when we drive a car, eat a salad we purchased from the deli, go into a lake, or use a power tool. The vast majority of the time, these activities are perfectly safe, and we don't give them a whole lot of thought. It would be impossible for the car manufacturer, the deli, the lake owner, or the tool manufacturer to account for every possible situation that could arise with their product...and we shouldn't expect that. Yet somehow, it seems people have the very illconsidered idea that vaccines are in a completely different category and the makers of vaccines should be treated differently.This bill is unnecessary and counterproductive, and its ultimate effect would be to make vaccines significantly less available in the state. Vaccines and medicine in general has never been about eliminating all risks. Instead, it's about doing our best to minimize and balance risks after carefully considering them. Childhood diseases like mumps, measles, rubella or polio are most definitely significant public health dangers, capable of severely harming or killing hundreds of thousands or even millions of kids each year. We have forgotten that in this country, however, because vaccines have all but eliminated their past peril. Yes, vaccines introduce a tiny bit of their own risk, but the numbers of injuries compared to the number of people protected is very tiny. Vaccinated people are far safer than they otherwise would be. For the literal one in a million who are harmed, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is available. For everyone else, the vaccines are what do the helping, and the public should have the ability to determine if they wish to take the significant risks that come with NOT being vaccinated.

03-05-2025

Daniela Frankova

Im against this bill. Thise who do jot woishvto vaccinate are welcome to do so. This bill will prevent access to vaccines in our state for majority of our patients who actually want them. I am also against giving opportunity to physicians not licensed in state of Iowa to testify in support this bill. They need to practice here before should be given a forum.

03-05-2025

Laura Brunsen, MD

As a physician, I am so alarmed that the Iowa legislature is trying to pass House Bill 712. NO pharmaceutical company is going to wave liability for law suits based on an adverse reaction to a vaccine. There is NO medication that does not have side effects. There is a National Vaccine Injury Program that helps people who may have had an adverse reaction to a vaccine. The benefits to the general public far outweigh the rare true allergy or adverse reaction that a person may have to a vaccine. In our current times, when there is an outbreak of measles in Texas, I cannot fathom why Iowa lawmakers are trying to make health care providers' jobs harder and are trying to kill Iowans. I urge all Iowa lawmakers to vote "NO" to this bill. I urge all Iowans to reach out to their lawmakers and tell them to vote "NO". Vaccines save lives. They prevent long lasting effects of illnesses (such as deafness in the case of the measles and permanent crippling of limbs in the case of polio, etc.). Let us not go backwards in time as far as disease control is concerned!The Iowan lawmakers need to work to protect Iowans not try to kill them!Laura J. Brunsen, MD

03-05-2025

Bonnie Stalzer

Vote NO on HF 712! Politicians are not experts on medical information. For many years immunizations have helped to prevent deadly and crippling diseases. Taking this out of the hands of medical providers and their patients is a violation of your civic duty.

03-05-2025

Mary Ann Moore

Do you want to inhibit the development and distribution of vaccines so Iowans can suffer from Tetanus, Pertussis, Rubella, Measles, Covid, Influenza and even Polio? You know who is not available to post a comment? Those Iowans who perished from these diseases and viruses. Do not be foolish by supporting this legislation. Vaccines save lives!

03-05-2025

Bob Darr

l Gilbert I strongly oppose SF712. Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and this bill would severely undermine the health of Iowans by introducing barriers to widespread uptake. In addition, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccinerelated injury. This bill is not a good solution to Iowa's health problems. There is tremendous misinformation about vaccines circulating, and I urge legislators to follow science, not fear.

03-05-2025

Heidi Gutsch

I strongly oppose this absurd bill. Vaccines are thoroughly studied and are safe and effective. They save lives. If you dont want them that is your choice but dont take away the choice for others. Oh, and in a state that has a shortage of medical providers, I would think you would be looking for ways to attract and retain providers, not drive them away because that is what this bill would do .

03-05-2025

Andrea Reser

Vaccines save lives. That is settled science. There are safeguards already in place at a federal level for vaccine injuries. This legislation only serves to make obtaining life saving vaccines more difficult for Iowans. Patients who are immunocompromised or chronically ill need protection from these diseases preventable by vaccines. Health care decisions should remain between a patient and their healthcare provider. This sets a dangerous and difficult precedent that will have devastating effects on public health. Please vote no.

03-05-2025

Hallie Wemmie

OPPOSE HF 712 and stop the madness that has taken over this state with conspiracy theories and not believing in science. We are falling way behind in this country and Iowa needs you to stop considering the most outrageous bills that are putting us at serious risk. You are going to force Iowans out of this state!!

03-05-2025

Chaeli Gerrish

I was happy to see that the SF360 bill is dead, as it should be. Is the HB712 a back ended way of trying to stop the vaccines altogether? Are you introducing a bill stating that doctors cannot give vaccines in the state of Iowa unless the manufacturer waives immunity from law suits? No pharmaceutical company will agree to this. Every single medicine you take has sufe effects listed. As a result, if this passes, we will have NO vaccines in the state of Iowa, which would be detrimental to the health of Iowans. What happened to the right to choose? Several of my family members, friends, and just Iowans in general have comorbidities that would decrease their life expectancy by not allowing vaccines. Please stop this nonsense and allow Iowans to choose whether they want vaccines or not! I know as a registered child care provider, I'm not interested in taking care of children in my home that are not vaccinated, as that would compromise my own health.

03-05-2025

Bill Brauch

I strongly oppose HF 712. If the drug has been approved by the FDA why would the state of Iowa mandate by law a waiver of immunity for a design defect? Rigorous testing by the federal government would have proven the drugs safety and effectiveness. This bill is a thinlyveiled effort to attack the pharmaceutical industry and Iowans rights to access safe and effective drugs based on tactless conspiracy theories. Our Legislature needs to focus on real problems, like our cancer rates and polluted water sources. Those are our real health challenges, not bogus claims of defective medications.

03-05-2025

Linda Grathwohl

I oppose this bill. I have the right to decide what vaccines I need to maintain my health. I have a chronic medical condition that hampers my immune system. I need vaccines to stay healthy and alive. This is an unnecessary interference into my personal liberties. Please vote no on this proposed law.

03-05-2025

Kristin Dietzel

This bill will make it difficult to impossible to receive vaccinations in Iowa, effectively taking away people's choice in the matter. There is already the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) for individuals to access if they may have been injured by a vaccine. This bill goes beyond that making it impossible for manufacturers to offer the vaccine in Iowa.

03-05-2025

Lena Rydberg Freese

I am strongly opposed to HF 712. I am an internal medicine physician that practices in the inpatient, outpatient and clinical research setting. We are in the middle of a measles outbreak. We currently are in the worst flu epidemic in 30 years. We just recently started recovering from a Covid outbreak where prior to vaccination the nursing homes we would go in at some points had a 50% mortality rate of those affected. This bill would effectively remove all vaccines from the state as manufacturers have no reason to pay into the VICP if they also would have to be subject to liability. This harms Iowans. The vaccine injury compensation program works. All medical interventions or noninterventions have benefits and risks. When I administer oxygen at high levels to a patient their lungs scar but if I withhold oxygen in the same setting they die. Patients are counseled by their doctors about their options and many choose to still receive treatment. The same goes for vaccines. In clinical trials we have proved that with our current approved vaccines vast numbers of people live rather than die or become disabled from disease while a small percentage of people experience harm. The current program makes sure that all patients have access to the choice to take or decline vaccines with their doctor while also ensuring that anyone who experiences a known medical issue from a vaccine receives support for their care in a timely manner. If this bill goes through then Iowans will die. Physicians, knowing that care could be better elsewhere, will have to watch that. That is difficult and will affect the recruitment and retention of our current physician workforce.

03-05-2025

Holly Gossman

you to vote NO on HF 712. Banning all vaccines would be a dangerous step backward for public health. Vaccines have been scientifically proven to prevent deadly diseases, protect vulnerable populations, and reduce healthcare costs. While personal choice is important, banning vaccines altogether removes the right for individuals to make informed medical decisions for themselves and their families. This bill would put our communities at risk by eliminating access to lifesaving immunizations. Please stand with science, public health, and personal freedomvote NO.

03-05-2025

Yazel Penne

I strongly oppose HF 712. This is just another way that Iowans will not be able to get vaccines. There are already avenues in place for those that want to file complaints on a vaccine. I should have the right to choose if I want a vaccine. We need to follow science and stop the fear mongering.

03-05-2025

Cathy Bruett [Retired pharmacist ]

Please reject house bill on vaccinations. They are safe, effective and fully tested by FDA!! There is a system in place to report reactions. I have administered hundreds of various vaccines in my career and all were told to report back to me and physicians if experiencing issues. Zero issues. Some do have reactions but it is such a small number compared to hundreds of millions that use a vaccine. They save millions of lives. Quit trying to take away decisions that are made by patients and health care community! You are driving them from our state then everyone suffers. Unless you are a medical professional you have no knowledge to be even considering this.

03-05-2025

Natasha Mensen

I do not support HF712. We all know vaccines save lives and this bill will make it harder for our communities, our neighbors, our families members to receive them. They should be easily available to anyone that chooses. Please protect Iowans by voting no to HF712.

03-05-2025

Angie Rhum

I strongly OPPOSE this bill! As a public health nurse, I feel parents and individuals have the right to have access to vaccines they want to receive. VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. This bill will create barriers for parents and individuals. Physicians will not want to practice in Iowa, or will leave their current positions. There is a shortage of providers already. This will make it worse. If we start limiting access, we will have outbreaks of all sorts of communicable diseases. We will then have a lot of complications from the actual diseases and deaths. Look at Texas right now. Please vote "NO" on HF 712!!!!!!

03-05-2025

Ellie Jones

03-05-2025

Michael Keen

While I understand the intent to enhance consumer protections, this bill carries serious consequences for public health, legal stability, and Iowas healthcare system.Key Concerns with HF 712:Threat to Vaccine Availability: The bills requirement for manufacturers to waive immunity under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) could lead major vaccine producers to withdraw from Iowa, reducing access to critical immunizations. Without federal protections, companies may find it economically unviable to distribute vaccines in the state.Increased Risk of Disease Outbreaks: Iowa has already seen a decline in vaccination rates, contributing to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. If manufacturers exit the market, Iowans may face delays or an inability to obtain vaccines, disproportionately harming rural communities and vulnerable populations.Legal and Constitutional Conflicts: HF 712 directly contradicts federal law. The NCVIA was established to balance vaccine safety with liability concerns, and courts have consistently upheld its protections. If passed, this bill will likely face legal challenges, wasting taxpayer dollars on litigation while creating regulatory uncertainty for healthcare providers.Financial Burden on Iowas Healthcare System: The removal of liability protections will drive up costs for vaccine manufacturers, leading to price increases for healthcare providers and patients. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies may struggle to maintain vaccine supplies, further exacerbating access issues.Undermining Public Trust in Vaccination: By framing vaccines as inherently dangerous and legally suspect, HF 712 fuels misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Public health experts have warned that such rhetoric contributes to declining immunization rates and increased disease transmission.Rather than dismantling established protections, policymakers should focus on strengthening existing vaccine injury compensation mechanisms and ensuring transparency in vaccine safety. HF 712 threatens to unravel decades of public health progress, putting Iowans at unnecessary risk.I urge you to oppose HF 712 and instead support policies that protect public health, maintain legal consistency, and ensure continued access to lifesaving vaccines. Thank you for your time and consideration.

03-05-2025

Lisa Barnett

Please vote NO to this bill. No pharmaceutical company is going to waive liability for lawsuits based on reactions to vaccines. We already have a national Vaccine Injury Program to help people with adverse reactions to vaccines. This would make it harder to get any vaccines in Iowa and harder to keep good healthcare providers here when the legislature continues to tie their hands.

03-05-2025

Tom Broadbooks

I oppose this bill. Another solution in search of a problem. Vaccines have been overwhelming effective at preventing disease for decades. We don't need an impediment to the public's acceptance of safe and effective vaccines.

03-05-2025

Alison Brennan [Achieve Mental Health Inc]

I oppose bill 712. As a cancer survivor, I need vaccinations! I am capable of making my own choice if I want a vaccination or not. Also, the current research for cancer is focusing on vaccinations. Please oppose this so my children can reduce their chance of cancer. HPV vaccination is a great example.

03-05-2025

Tanya Betts

Vaccines are one of the safest health interventions at our disposal, and I believe this bill would undermine the health of Iowans. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related injury. I strongly oppose HF712 and encourage you to vote against this.

03-05-2025

Katie Reuter [Henry County Public Health]

I oppose this bill. Vaccines are rigorously tested, safe and effective; it is unfortunate that rarely side effects or injuries occur. This legislation is redundant as we have the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program which offers compensation to those who have been injured by vaccines. Since its inception, the VICP has awarded over $4.9 billion in compensation for vaccinerelated injuries(including the costs of legal services for claimants).This bill would hinder access to vaccines. At a time when we are seeing previously eliminated diseases like measles, we should not be passing legislation to limit the use of vaccines.

03-05-2025

Eric Staff

I am against this bill. The consequences of this bill will be that no new vaccines will be produced. I believe this bill will kill Iowans in the long run and diminish the ability of our state to protect itself against another potential pandemic.

03-05-2025

Christine Bailey

Vote NO on HF 712. Republicans have long held the goal of reducing government interference in the private ives of citizens and this bill is an example of government overreach. Guardrails are in place for vaccine safety. This bill does nothing to improve the health of Iowas and will actively decrease the ability of Iowans to protect their health.

03-05-2025

Kelli Newton

My name is Kelli S Newton, and i live in Marshalltown, IA I strongly oppose this bill. The freedom to make my own medical decisions is a fundamental right. HF 712 would limit my ability to access the vaccines I need here in Iowa. Vaccines should be open to those who prescribe and need, not something that political choices decide!The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program already exists for the rare instances when there is a vaccine related health complication. Vaccines are effective, and keep our communities safe.

03-05-2025

Michael Sydnor

Vote against this bill. We need vaccines to protect ourselves against diseases. I do not want to develop a postviral condition because I catch the flu, RSV, or Covid. If this state passes this, I will have to consider moving to a state that understands science and allows it to guide policy.

03-05-2025

Brigid Martin

I strongly oppose this bill. We failed in creating effective COVID safety measures, as many states across the country have, not to mention the other illnesses that are usually combatted by vaccines. We cant afford to have our main line of defense outlawed. Support science, support vaccines, and vote no against this bill.

03-05-2025

Madisen Smith

I am AGAINST HF 712. This bill would contribute to a public health crisis. Vaccines are extremely wellresearched. To say otherwise is to support dangerous propaganda rather than documented, accredited, credible science. Please do not support HF 712.

03-05-2025

Samantha Karaidos

Support HF712!!!!! If a car seat manufacturer hurt or kills a baby for lack of safety, you can bet there would be legal action and recall. The same should be said for vaccines and the companies who make them should be responsible for their products!

03-05-2025

Angela Keeler

03-05-2025

Kelly Gibson

Please. No. Vote no. Immunizations save lives, decrease symptoms and keep thousands of Americans healthy. Insisting it's only a money making ploy is far from fact. Allow those who chose it and trust in science continue to protect themselves and their families! Vaccinations: Polio. TB. Influenza. Covid. All saved lives and still do.Do not take away the option to protect ourselves.

03-05-2025

K T

I vehemently oppose this bill. Vaccines are a vital tool to protect the health of our state, especially those that are very young and the elderly. Without them, our stressed and straining hospitals will be struggling even more and thousands will be placed at risk of contracting easily preventable diseases. This bill will also discourage medical providers, which this state is short of already, from practicing in Iowa as they cannot properly care for their patients. Vaccines are rigorously tested and have been found to be very safe overall. For individuals that do experience an issue after receiving a vaccine there is already a path for recourse, which this bill duplicates. There are side effects and other risks involved with taking any medication. That is why decisions around medical care and treatments should be left up to the patient and their provider, not state legislators without a medical degree to decide. Can the residents of Iowa not be trusted to make their own choices? Do we honestly need this legislative body currently controlled by radical, uninformed politicians to dictate what medical care we receive? As a nurse currently practicing at the bedside I rely on vaccines to limit my risk of contracting infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID and hepatitis among others. This legislation places ALL direct healthcare providers (PT, RT, OT, RN, NA, CMA, MD, DO, NP, PharmD) needlessly in harms way and will drive them away from their careers. I prize my liberties, which includes what healthcare I choose to receive. Ignorant legislators should try proposing bills that will actually help the public instead of imperiling the entire state.

03-05-2025

Teresa Wellman

Im registering my opposition to this bill. To single out a particular drug science for removing indemnities is discriminatory and would be challenged in the courts. Individuals are presented with the potential sideeffects of EVERY drug on the market. The individual chooses to take the drug knowing the risks. This is nanny state legislation. And I note theres been lots of lobbying around indemnifying Bayer/Monsanto, a producer of a chemical KNOWN AND PROVEN to harm humans that individuals do not have the option to avoid as its poisons are in our soil and water. Hypocrites!

03-05-2025

Rachel Morey

HF 712 is a joke. So will those of us who have the means to do so just drive our kids across state lines for VACCINES??? This is unreal. I wish introducing stupid laws was a crime. This bill is a gross waste of our resources, at a time when Iowa's lawmakers have no shortage of issues requiring attention.

03-05-2025

Meg Schmitz

03-05-2025

Esther Huston

Please vote NO!!!!!!! Maintain the rights of the people!!!!!! We are adults, we can choose to receive them or get an exemption. This is extreme government oversight. Our freedoms we prize!!! Our rights we maintain!!! We can make our own decisions. This is not for the government to decide. I know this legislature supports the freedom of people doing what they want. Let us decide. We are smart enough to decide. Do not treat us like ignorant children.

03-05-2025

Tricia Kitzmann

I STRONGLY oppose this bill. Please do not advance it out of subcommittee. We already have the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in place to be an easier way for people injured by vaccines to be compensated. Additionally, I want all FDA approved vaccines to be available for me and my family. This bill will hurt the people of Iowa wanting to get vaccines and further drive away healthcare professionals not wanting to practice in a state with these policies in place.

03-05-2025

Deb Polich

03-05-2025

Regina Reinier

I'm strongly opposed to HF 712. This will limit our access to vaccinations that can protect our citizens. We do not force vaccinations, yet this would force us to NOT have vaccines. This would be yet another step backwards as we seem to be spiraling quickly down.

03-05-2025

Deb Polich

03-05-2025

Doug Cunningham [The Arc of Iowa]

Vote yes on HF712. Iowans should have access to vaccines. They help to reduce long term disability, extend life and have aided in decreasing infant mortality. Futhermore, Iowans should know when they purchase a product in the state of Iowa the manufacturer and the administer or sales person has liability for the safety of that product.

03-05-2025

Rhonda J Leonard

My mom and dad got the vaccine in the nursing home. My dad was neurologically injured by the vaccine right away and started hallucinating. He tripped and fell and broke his leg and was dead 6 weeks later. This was 5 months after he got the first vaccine. My mom ended up with endometrial cancer and died a year later. Her oncologist said the vaccine turned the cells into a turbo cancer.

03-05-2025

Liz Leonhard

Support this bill. Making companies liable in case their product injured someone is appropriate. No cooperation should be allowed to sell a product free from liability especially one that is unavoidably unsafe. Holding manufacturers liable will actually encourage them to make a safer product, there is little incentive otherwise.

03-05-2025

Sam Bass

Vote no on HF 712. Any legislation that could reduce or eliminate access to vaccines is terribly dangerous. Yes, we must remain rigorous and demanding for safety and regulation, but vaccines are one of the greatest human achievements that have saved countless lives. The relative speed with which an mRNA vaccine was developed and distributed is one of the few successes of the early Covid era; legislation like this would have caused even more death and damage by delaying that process. We should absolutely continue pursuing support for those who experience rare injury from vaccines, but we cannot do that at the expense of public health.

03-05-2025

Eli Steenhoek

Please vote no on HF712. Iowans cannot afford to loose access to vaccines especially as we see rising cases of measles and other diseases. Iowans are already able to be compensated for vaccine adverse effects through The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program which is a alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving vaccine injury petitions. All this bill would do is create more barriers and spread disease. As someone with immunocompromised family members I would hate to see them or any other Iowan (even those who are healthy) at risk for illness.

03-05-2025

Kara Schneider

I strongly oppose this bill. Iowa is already facing a shortage of medical professionals. This bill would do nothing to help attract them to our state. It would in fact do the opposite. Also, a decision to get a vaccine or not should lie solely with the patient and the doctor. The government is trying to overstep once again and insert themselves into doctors offices. This is not right. There are many people in our state that rely on vaccines to stay alive. Immunocompromised people, elderly, infants, etc. I urge you NOT to pass this ridiculous bill.

03-05-2025

Shirley Keenan

I strongly urge your opposition to HF712. Vaccines are the most important tool for fighting preventable, potentially fatal or severely injurious diseases. For over a century, millions of lives have been saved from diseases such as small pox, polio, tuberculosis, measles, etc. Rigorous studies are done to ensure their safety and efficacy. However, we know nothing is ever absolutely perfect. With the exception of genetically identical twins, no 2 humans are alike. People can respond differently to medications. However, the overall benefits FAR outweigh the potential risks. mRNA vaccines are the future of vaccines. They have the potential to be more rapidly produced, efficacious, and safe. The FDA and CDC are responsible for overseeing and ensuring the overall safety of the vaccines before they become publicly available. It is NOT the responsibility of our state government to control our access to much needed vaccines. Please do not interfere with our access to these lifesaving resources. That is a personal health care choice, a freedom of ours to decide. Lastly, a number of people have posted claims alleging injurious or fatal consequences as a result of a vaccine. They should be asked to produce the medical documentation supporting their claims before their claims are accepted as fact. Thank you for your consideration.

03-05-2025

Emily Howes-Vonstein

As an immunocompromised Iowan, I'm highly concerned by this bill. Viruses, including influenza and covid, pose huge risks of disability, disability progression and death, especially among the vulnerable. Vaccines are known to be safe and effective in preventing serious illness and mass death. However, like anything, they also have risks that must be weighed with their benefit. That's why rigorous testing, vaccine education and consent is important. That's why vaccine injury compensation programs exist. Please dont hinder or remove access to medical care I rely on. Vaccines keep me healthy. They've allowed me to return to work and continue engaging in public spaces. Vote NO on HF712.

03-05-2025

Stacey Willey

I strongly oppose this bill HF 712. I have the right to receive vaccines if I want to protect my own health. Iowans who do not want a vaccine have the right to say no. Do not take my right to say yes to any vaccine available for my health.

03-05-2025

Scott Greiner

This bill is CRITICAL. For decades the pharmaceutical industry has profited off numerous medications sold to public to help them only to turn out causing serious side effects, damages, and permanently ruin lives.Medicine needs to be safe, well studied, and reviewed every step of the way. A minority of legal action taken as frivolous do not discount the immense pain and suffering Americans/Iowans feel due to the over medication of society. VOTE YES!

03-05-2025

Connor Nichols

vote NO on this bill! Vaccines are safe, federally allowed, and are available for those who want them. It shouldnt be up to the state to ban my ability from staying safe from deadly diseases, and protecting those I love with herd immunity. Please, nobody else should go through stuff like RSV like I did. Keep vaccines available and cut the nonsense

03-05-2025

Katherine Drop

I strongly oppose this bill as all Iowans should have bodily autonomy and the to choice to be vaccinatedVaccines are effective at stopping the spread of disease. In the rare case of vaccine related injuries, federal programs are available for assistance/compensation.

03-05-2025

Robert Baker-White

This bill will expose more Iowans to communicable and infectious diseases like measles, whooping cough, and flu causing more illness, harm, and death in our state. It will also erode confidence in the best defense against preventable disease and is unnecessary since the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program offers remedies for individuals who experience any of the rare adverse impacts from vaccines.

03-05-2025

Scott Greiner

03-05-2025

Shirley Harris

I am OPPOSED to HF 712 related to immunity and vaccines. I urge the subcommittee to vote AGAINST this bill HF 712 could critically reduce incentives for offering current vaccines, or development of new vaccines, required for public health and safety. Over the past two centuries, since the development of the cowpox vaccine, vaccines have been proven safe and effective to prevent spread of dangerous diseases and associated deaths. Please vote AGAINST HF 712.

03-05-2025

James Boyd

The bill is not banning vaccines. It is acknowledging some people are injured by vaccines and creating an avenue for redress. If vaccines are "safe and effective" then pharmaceutical companies should have no problem standing behind their products. They will be given the opportunity to demonstrate safety in a court.

03-05-2025

Hannah Bousek

Please vote NO on this bill, HF 712. Follow the science, not the fear. Statistically, we know vaccines are safe. Injuries are rare and incredibly unfortunate. Its valid people would be scared if an injury occurred to them. Ive experienced medically rare and unlikely events I get it!However, the ramifications of HF 712 will further the fear and avoidance of safe, life and health preserving vaccines for the majority. We have a system to address vaccine injuries The National Vaccine Injury Program, which has a lower threshold for the burden of proof of injury. It should be easy as possible for people to pursue justice if an injury occurs AND maintain access to vaccines. Vaccines have saved countless lives and prevented suffering.As an Iowan, I want access to scientifically safe vaccines for myself my family. I fear HF 712 will interfere with doing so. Please oppose HF 712.

03-05-2025

Karl Schilling

We should do all we can to encourage the use of vaccines. As a child I had mumps, measles, whooping cough and polio. My brother had encephalitis (fever of 108) from measles. Normally that high a fever is fatal but while he survived it was with permanent brain damage. He became epileptic and subject to fits of violence for little cause. As a child I slept with a knife. It was necessary to commit him first to Woodward and then Cherokee. While he eventually found drugs to control his seizures and behavior the best he could do for employment was a lumber handler from which he retired after 30 years at a salary of $9 an hour. All of this could have been avoided with a vaccination. Thousands of lives were saved during the Covid pandemic through vaccinations. We need to make sure we do all we can to support vaccinations and save lives and prevent disabilities from disease.

03-05-2025

Esther Burgett

I strongly oppose HF 712. Vaccines have saved and continue to save millions of lives. The law does NOT need to be changed. People who don't believe in vaccinations can choose not to be vaccinated, but I should still have the freedom to protect myself and family from serious illnesses by being vaccinated. Passing this bill would make our state and country unsafe from curable illnesses such as the measles, which is a curable illness easily prevented with a vaccination. Please vote NO on this unsafe bill.

03-05-2025

Esther Burgett

I strongly oppose HF 712. Vaccines have saved millions of people and have prevented serious illnesses from spreading. The law already accounts for people who do not believe in vaccines for themselves and their family. I should have the freedom to protect myself and family from illnesses that are prevented with vaccinations.

03-05-2025

Sonya Swan

I strongly support this bill. If a product is safe and effective, then no manufacturer will have a problem accepting liability. The current NVICP (National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) is not due process, nor equal protection under the law. There is no discovery and no jury. The injured person or family member of the deceased is fighting against the federal government who has unlimited resources and who has a financial incentive to deny the claim. It is imperative that the injured and the families of the injured have a remedy that is fair and in line with their constitutional rights. Indeed, if individuals KNEW they would be protected and financially compensated should there be a design defect in the vaccine, then the hesitancy might even lessen.This bill will ensure that every manufacturer has a the financial incentive to make sure that their product is the safest possible, and that every person receiving a vaccine in Iowa is allowed the protection afforded by the Constitution of the United States of America. Regardless of one's beliefs about vaccines, it is important to give every Iowan the same protections afforded them with every other product that is sold in our state.

03-05-2025

Heather Sievers [Advocates for Iowa’s Children]

as a medical professional, I strongly oppose this bill. If we continue to move in the direction of creating barriers and negatively impacting access to vaccines, now only will we start to see major outbreaks across our state after already going through a major pandemic, we will start losing people like we did before. There are so many people that worked very hard to survive pandemics when vaccines were not available. We cannot go back in time on this one. Im very concerned that people will not wave immunity protections And we will lose access to vaccination in our state. You cannot continue to criminalize medical care here. I guarantee that most of you on the subcommittee and in the judiciary committee are all vaccinated and its part of the reason why youre still here today. There are some risks to vaccines, which is why the national vaccine injury protection act requires those risks to be shared with patients And is also a program that can help compensate people for vaccination injury in the very, very, very, very rare circumstance that an injury occurs. This is a very dangerous spell and I urge you to vote no today. or Iowa children depend on you to make a good decision and make sure that vaccine access does not have barriers. Thank you

03-05-2025

Timothy Smith

I am writing in opposition to this legislation. Vaccine programs world wide have kept us safe from many diseases. Some that crippled and killed hundreds of thousands and in some cases almost eradicating the disease. No pharma company is going to wave liability to an adverse reaction to a vaccine. There isn't a drug we take that doesn't carry a risk. And there is a mechanism in place for those or thier families that have reactions.

03-05-2025

William B. Felegi, D.O., FACEP [Van Buren County Hospital]

I appreciate the time you are taking to elicit and review comments from the public.As a board certified emergency medicine physician with over 30 years of experience, and as the Emergency Department Medical Director at a rural critical access hospital, I have seen the effects of infections that can be prevented by vaccines (measles, mumps, German measles, chicken pox, hepatitis A & B, polio, Hib, Roto virus, rabies, COVID19, HPV, meningitis, pneumonia, diphtheria, tetanus, etc.) which can be devastating and lethal.The unintended consequences to the people of Iowa, should this bill pass and become law, will essentially ban any vaccines in our state. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) allows anyone who believes they were injured from a vaccine to file a petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This program was created in the 1980s, after lawsuits faced by vaccine companies and health care providers threatened to cause vaccine shortages and reduce U.S. vaccination rates.However, individuals can file a petition with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive compensation if they are found to have been injured by one of the vaccines covered by VICP. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration under HHS, "even in cases in which such a finding is not made, petitioners may receive compensation through a settlement."VICP, also known as "vaccine court" has been accepting petitions, also known as claims, since 1988, and has paid about $4.4 billion in overall compensation, according to CNBCDepending on your political beliefs, you can disagree with the original NVICP, but the reality is it has allowed vaccine manufactures to continue to provide much need vaccines for all who want them. If vaccine manufactures, do not have some protection, they will not sign any agreements as outlined in the proposed legislation. If that were the case, our citizens in Iowa would not have access to vaccines AT ALL.Where I have no problem with questioning science and medicine, we have seen physicians and scientists unjustly vilified because of their belief in science, medicine and vaccinations. Were people should be allowed to have informed consent prior to receiving vaccines, this bill would ultimately lead to NO choice for patients as the vaccines would not be readily available where they are needed.

03-05-2025

Natalie Rekemeyer

I strongly oppose this bill. Having access to vaccines prevents a plethora of communicable diseases. If people don't want to receive the vaccines they can chose not to have them. For the rest of us let the vaccines be available to us.

03-05-2025

Janice Thomann

Vote no. People can make their own decisions on whether they want to take the risks associated with a vaccine. This bill would dramatically reduce vaccine availability to those who choose to have them. Vaccines save lives!!! Period!

03-05-2025

Sarah Post

I strongly oppose this bill. Vaccines have been proven time and time again to be effective and safe. Governor Reynolds mentioned in the State of the State address that we would like to see more medical students attending the University of Iowa. Legislation like HF712 will only continue to make it less appealing to choose Iowa as a place to study medicine. People will NOT choose to come here if we continue to put restrictions on basic medical procedures, such as administering vaccines. If you want to actually achieve the Governor's goals, then you should absolutely vote no on this bill.

03-05-2025

Robert Leonhard

Please support hf712. This bill will not harm pharmaceutical companies or affect the vaccines on the market at all, unless they are not currently safe. But since we know all vaccines are safe and effective all this bill will do is reduce vaccine hesitancy in Iowa.

03-05-2025

Therese Gullickson

Please do not ban the use or administration of any type of vaccine. I am a cancer patient and rely on COVID vaccines and others to protect my weakened immune system. It is unconstitutional to ban my access to the protections my doctor and I choose. You are not scientists, you are elected representatives who pledged to uphold our constitutional rights. Vote no on this restrictive and harmful bill!

03-05-2025

Jennifer Clayworth

We deserve vaccine choice! I trust my pediatrician, and she recommends the vaccine schedule. My son has had all vaccines as well as all of my family members and myself. None of us have had any issues. Dont play politics with our healthcare! Republicans, if you are truly hands off, then butt out of our healthcare decisions and let us follow the recommendations of doctors who are much more informed and know the science behind vaccines.

03-05-2025

Daniel Earp

Just when I think you guys cant sink any lower or get any dumber you come up with this crap. Knock it off. This is getting out of control. Kill this bill. Try doing something constructive and intelligent for once. Good God! This is ridiculous!

03-05-2025

Joshua Adams [Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine]

Do not pass this bill. It is another of the wave of antiintellectual, pandering pieces of legislature that will absolutely cause harm to Iowans in the long run by preventing many crucial vaccines from being available to Iowans.The man who started the vaccine controversy, exDoctor Mr. Andrew Wakefield, did so for money. He was hired by a lawyer who wanted to sue vaccine manufacturers. Mr. Wakefield's claim was that the measles part of the MMR vaccine gets into your brain via your gut in children with a specific gut disease (that he made up). It's lunacy. And, he was patenting a substitute separate measles vaccine to sell to worried parents in order to make lots of money himself. And, worst of all, he abused the children in his study in order to falsify results. Vaccines are safe. They go through a battery of tests and checks, and while there are certainly reactions, they are EXCEEDINGLY rare. Big pharma sucks and I hate them, but they are not peddling random slop for people to inject into their bodies. These are highly competent immunologists, microbiologists, biochemists, and other scientists that are working in concert to develop and perfect these vaccines so the fine people of Iowa never have to experience the horrors of pertussis (TDap/DTap), diphtheria (TDaP/DTaP), bronchiolitis (RSV), Hepatitis B, and others, all of which are deadly, and have killed countless people throughout history.In terms of public health, vaccines and sanitation have had the largest impacts since the 1800s. We have plenty more cuttingedge technologies, but none of them come close to the effects of vaccines and sanitation. But, thankfully, the Iowa senate isn't thinking about punishing septic tank installers. Not at the moment, anyway.If passed, this bill will have a measurable negative impact on the health of Iowa's citizens. It will take away their ability to choose whether or not to be vaccinated, and it will do so only to pander to a minority of loud, medically uneducated individuals who should not be determining outcomes for the rest of us.

03-05-2025

Autumnlee Prindle [None ]

Banning the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine would be a catastrophic decision for public health, as it would lead to a resurgence of these highly contagious diseases. Vaccines have been proven to effectively reduce the incidence of measles, mumps, and rubella, diseases that can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and lifelong disabilities. The MMR vaccine not only protects individuals who receive it but also helps establish herd immunity, safeguarding those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and individuals with certain medical conditions. Historical data has shown that declines in vaccination rates correlate with outbreaks of these diseases, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, banning the MMR vaccine would compromise the health and safety of the community, undoing decades of progress in controlling these infectious diseases.

03-05-2025

Kim Hopkins

Hello,I am contacting you today to urge you to OPPOSE any bills/legislation, including HF712, that make it difficult or impossible for Iowans to get access to the vaccines they need. The decision to get a vaccine should be between a patient and their doctor and not decided by lawmakers with no medical experience.Thank you,Kim Hopkins

03-05-2025

Natalie Brincks

HF712 stifles medicine, public health, science, and basic human rights, and leaves Iowans UNPROTECTED.God have mercy on Iowans during the next pandemic if this bill is passed. Casualty numbers from COVID19 will pale in comparison to casualty numbers from a pandemic without mRNA vaccines.Further, passing this legislation (and other such bills) will be detrimental to our PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE in Iowa.FURTHER YET, passing this legislation will stress our alreadyfragile health system both in regard to the cost of healthcare for our state and in regard to the burden on healthcare workers.Please act rationally; oppose HF712 and do not remove Iowan's basic rights to preventive medicine.

03-05-2025

Jasanna Czellar

Please support hf712! Adding full accountability to pharmaceutical manufacturers should be a nobrainer. Just as with any other company. Seeing all the recalls from food companies, as well as from pharmaceutical companies. Years later finding adverse effects of their products, leaves a lot to be desired. As someone who knows of multiple vaccine injured children, this is not as rare as some people would like you to think. Corners are cut when profits are put higher than people, without accepting full liability. Being a pharmaceutical company should not be a privileged class. Please support.

03-05-2025

Jean Vance

Please Vote No on Bill HF712. As an Iowan who chooses to be vaccinated I am against this bill.I feel confident, after consulting with 4 Family members who are Medical Professionals and two other members that are MEDICAL AND Biological Scientists, that the Vaccines that are available to Americans are Safe and Effective. One of them explained to me with great detail how the different Vaccines were developed and how they work. Their explanation has given me confidence whenever I receive a vaccine.This Bill I feel would undermine the Health of Iowans by making them fearful of getting a vaccination. With the Outbreaks of several vaccine preventable illnesses that our country is seeing I feel Iowans should be more worried about not being able to be Vaccinated. I am Against Bill HF712

03-05-2025

Kelli Harris

As someone who has had two healthy, young parents unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer in the past decade, I am deeply concerned about HF 712. These cancer diagnoses were completely out of the blue and uncharacteristic of their age and health, aligning with the current surge of cancer rates in Iowa. Thankfully, advances in medical research, including the use of mRNA technology, are showing incredible promise in cancer treatment. However, this bill would limit Iowans' access to lifesaving vaccines and restrict access to cuttingedge medical advancements by requiring manufacturers to waive essential federal lawsuit protections. This will likely prevent many vaccines from being available to Iowa residents and create a barrier to new therapies that could offer hope to those with cancer and other serious conditions. The COVID19 vaccine has already demonstrated its ability to save lives and allow people to move forward from the pandemic. It has played a crucial role in restoring a sense of normalcy to our communities, workplaces, and schools. By passing HF 712, we would be undermining the very research and technology that has proven to be vital in addressing not just the pandemic, but other pressing health issues.This bill is more about political rifts stemming from lingering COVID19 tensions than based on science or public health. Instead of making it harder for Iowans to access healthcare and pushing healthcare providers out of the state, our lawmakers should be focused on increasing healthcare access and investing in research to help people live longer, healthier lives. I urge you to oppose HF 712 and prioritize policies that protect the health and wellbeing of Iowans

03-05-2025

Autumnlee Prindle [None ]

Banning mRNA vaccines would be a grave mistake that could jeopardize public health and hinder the fight against infectious diseases, particularly in the context of COVID19. mRNA vaccines have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, playing a crucial role in controlling the pandemic. They represent a significant advancement in vaccine technology, allowing for rapid development and adaptability against emerging variants. Additionally, mRNA vaccines have shown potential applications beyond COVID19, including in cancer treatments and other infectious diseases. Removing access to these vaccines would not only risk a resurgence of preventable diseases but also stifle ongoing research and innovation in vaccine science. Ultimately, banning mRNA vaccines would undermine global health efforts and put countless lives at risk.

03-05-2025

Kaylara Hoadley

While accountability is important, this bill threatens vaccine access and public health in Iowa. Instead of creating legal barriers that could limit vaccine availability, the state should focus on strengthening existing safety and compensation mechanisms without jeopardizing immunization programs.

03-05-2025

Autumnlee Prindle [None ]

I OPPOSE THIS BILL. Banning mRNA vaccines would be a grave mistake that could jeopardize public health and hinder the fight against infectious diseases, particularly in the context of COVID19. mRNA vaccines have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, playing a crucial role in controlling the pandemic. They represent a significant advancement in vaccine technology, allowing for rapid development and adaptability against emerging variants. Additionally, mRNA vaccines have shown potential applications beyond COVID19, including in cancer treatments and other infectious diseases. Removing access to these vaccines would not only risk a resurgence of preventable diseases but also stifle ongoing research and innovation in vaccine science. Ultimately, banning mRNA vaccines would undermine global health efforts and put countless lives at risk.

03-05-2025

Michael Prindle

Ban the MMR vaccine to supposedly save a few people and kill hundreds or thousands of kids because they aren't vaccinated. Wake up and read or watch the news! All of the kids that have recently died from measles in West Texas or New Mexico WERE UNVACCINATED. DO NOT BAN THE MMR VACCINE!

03-05-2025

Jayme Hunter

As an Iowan we should not loose our right to choose if we want a vaccine or not. I know that part of the bill has been taken out, but adding in this clause will make it nearly impossible for the people of Iowa to access lifesaving vaccines because the pharmaceutical companies will decide not to offer them in Iowa. Let people decide and take on their own liability if they see fit. I strongly oppose this bill. If this does pass then you should automatically add in the biotechnology/ pesticide companies spraying all of their chemicals in the state of Iowa causing cancer. Iowa has one of the highest cancer rates. I wonder why?

03-05-2025

Kathy Graeve

Vote No on HF712. Iowans should be able to get their vaccines in Iowa. HF 712 says that no vaccines can be distributed, sold, or administered in Iowa unless the manufacturer waves immunity from suit, including the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). Basically, the NVICP was established in the mid 80's to ensure that manufacturers would continue producing life saving vaccines and in the rare circumstances someone sustains an injury from the vaccine, there is an efficient mechanism that provides compensation without the burden of proof that would be necessary for a trial. Two Iowans were instrumental in creating the NVICP Senator Chuck Grassley and Dr. Peter Wallace, a retired physician from Iowa City! HF 712 would make ALL vaccines difficult if not impossible to access in Iowa. Robust safety protocols in the development, production, and supply chain mean that vaccines are one of the safest products on the market. Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and here at home. All Iowans our babies, children, adults, and elders deserve the protection vaccines offer. Vote NO.

03-05-2025

Pam Sparks

This is a common sense bill. Anyone that offers a product or service in the world today is responsible for the outcome of said service/product. I see no reason for an industry that is making billions of dollars selling products that are NOT proven effective or safe to be exempt from this responsibility to the people they are selling too. The excessive advertising without informed consent is totally ridiculous! No one else can sell something making claims to this extreme, especially with products that are this dangerous and most have black box warmings on the insert! I hope everyone is aware of this... BLACK BOX means death! Pass this bill! Tax payers should not be held responsible to pay for problems they didn't create. OH and then incentivize drs by paying thousands of dollars if they coerce so many hundreds to comply! This is dishonest and undermines their integrity!Thank you

03-05-2025

Oliver Bardwell [Iowans 4 Freedom]

I strongly support HF712, which would require pharmaceutical companies to waive their liability immunity to sell or distribute their products in Iowa. This bill is about fairness, accountability, and protecting Iowans rights.For decades, Big Pharma has been shielded from liability, leading to an explosion of liabilityfree products without proper longterm safety studies. Before pharmaceutical companies were indemnified, children received just six dosesnow, that number has skyrocketed to over 70, with no recourse for those who are harmed. This is not a free market; its governmentbacked protectionism that puts corporate profits over public safety.Every other industry is held accountable for the safety of its productswhy should pharmaceutical companies be the exception? If they truly believe in the safety and efficacy of their products, they should have no problem standing behind them.Iowa has the opportunity to lead the nation in restoring accountability. HF712 does not ban any productit simply ensures that corporations are responsible for the products they sell, just like in every other industry.I urge you to support HF712 and stand with the people of Iowa in demanding transparency, fairness, and the right to due process. No company should be above the law.

03-05-2025

Amber Gale

OPPOSE. Vaccines are a personal choice. Iowans should not have to leave the state to get critical vaccinations especially for those of us who have children who are immune compromised where traveling is difficult. The vaccine injury program is in place to account for the rare circumstances that you are attempting to litigate away. However litigating away the availability of vaccines is only going to make the risk of resurgence of illness rise and make vaccination something that is only available to those who are able to afford to travel to receive them. Leave personal choice where it is. You do not need to litigate away my choice on how to raise myself or my children.

03-05-2025

Ashley Merkley

Please vote No on this bill it could have extremely harmful adverse consequences, in that many vaccine manufacturers may just not choose to distribute their vaccines in our state due to this extra burden. There are already requirements that they must follow and mechanisms to enforce safety issues through the federal government. While it's understandable to want to make sure that people have recourse if they have been harmed by a vaccine, we do have mechanisms for this that already exist, such as the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Vaccines are all tested and go through numerous phases of research and clinical trials before ever being widely distributed to the public. I am worried about the potential collateral consequences of this bill what if it does cause vaccine manufacturers to stop distributing their vaccines in our state? I am immunocompromised and need to have the ability to get any vaccines that my medical team and I deem helpful. I am worried that this bill will have unintended consequences and will negatively impact healthcare decisions, bodily autonomy, and medical safety. Please reevaluate your approach on this and determine a less harmful way to go about this. Thank you for your time and consideration.

03-05-2025

Audrey Vander Schel

I oppose HF712. I could echo the overwhelming evidence from peerreviewed scientific studies, reproducible data, and arguments already eloquently presented to you, (and I likely will), but I concede that there is a general mistrust of science in this country. I dont know what is specifically to blame for that mistrust but I acknowledge it exists and Ive been greatly saddened and troubled by it my whole adult life. I attribute many of our current struggles to that mistrust and a lack of science literacy. All that aside though, I ask you to take a step back and look at the other larger issue with this bill. That issue is that it would create the situation where those of us who want vaccines, mRNA vaccines or otherwise, will be unable to receive them. It could also affect access to promising cancer research and treatment. These are freedoms of choice that you would be taking away from Iowans. More freedoms being taken away. I dont understand the motives of those who try to deny verifiable scientific facts and persuade others to do the same. Maybe they dont know the dangerous consequences of their actions. But if you arent a doctor, a scientist, a molecular biologist, if youve never studied molecular biology, virology, public health, and so on, should you be deciding that all of those people who are and all who have studied those things are wrong? And should you decide for all Iowans whether they can receive a vaccine rather than allow freedom? Please stop taking away our freedoms, we are American citizens.

03-05-2025

Conway Chin

As a physician, I object to this bill because it will block my ability to protect myself with a vaccination. I will not feel safe to treat Iowans. I will then leave the state to practice in a healthfriendly area where I will not have to sacrifice my health to practice medicine.As an American citizen, I object to this bill in blocking my freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and happiness", which in this case, is blocking me from protecting my life through vaccination as I so choose. If others choose to not vaccinate themselves, then fine. But I will fight anyone who will try to stop me from protecting myself, my family, and my community.

03-05-2025

Sarah Schaefer

Oppose: I strongly oppose HF712. Iowans should have all vaccines offered to them so that they can make the choice of what is needed for them and their families. Passing this bill goes against scientific research and long followed best practices. This is not a needed law.

03-05-2025

David Yurdin

I oppose this bill. It is an attempt to discourage research and development of safe and effective vaccines. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, signed by Ronald Reagan, created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) It provides compensation to people found to be injured by certain vaccines. Nothing is broken, nothing to fix here. David YurdinUrbandale Iowa

03-05-2025

Joseph Stevens

This bill represents a profound hypocrisy within our legislative body. While this bill ostensibly aims to protect public health by establishing drugfree zones around homeless services, the same legislators are advancing Senate File 13 (SF13), which seeks to ban mRNA vaccinesa cornerstone of modern medical science that has saved countless lives during the COVID19 pandemic. This contradictory stance undermines public trust and reveals a troubling disregard for evidencebased health measures. How can we claim to prioritize public health when we simultaneously reject the very tools that safeguard it?Furthermore, the punitive nature of HSB286 is exacerbated by recent legislative actions that limit accountability in the medical field. The passage of House File 161 (HF161), which caps noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits at $2 million for hospitals and $1 million for clinics and individual doctors, effectively diminishes justice for victims of medical negligence. By reducing the potential consequences for malpractice, we are prioritizing the interests of medical institutions over the rights and wellbeing of our citizens. This, coupled with the criminalization of homelessness proposed in HSB286, paints a disturbing picture of a legislature more inclined to punish the vulnerable than to protect and uplift them. Such policies are not only illogical but also deeply harmful to the fabric of our society.

03-05-2025

Dr. Teresa Donart

As a physician I am horrified that the legislative body in Iowa is considering making effective medical therapies such as mrna vaccines illegal. I worked the highest risk job during covid intubating and caring for the sickest patients and firmly believe early vaccination with the mrna vaccine saved my life and allowed me to more safely care for others. Physicians do not force anyone to be vaccinated. They discuss risks and benefits just like all other therapies and medicationsnothing is without risk. The patient gets to choose what is best for them with their priorities. Likewise, the nonmedical legislative body should not be forcing me or anyone else to abstain from receiving a vaccine or treatment by making it illegal. The technology behind these vaccines is also being used in promising cancer research. You may recall that Iowa has the fastest growing rates of cancer in the country. Stop the government overreach of removing safe effective medical therapies based on conspiracy theories and junk science.

03-05-2025

Sarah Vagenas

I cannot emphasize what a devastatingly detrimental idea it would be to pass this bill. It would directly harm the good people of Iowa and lead to preventable deaths. It is incomprehensible to me that the legislature is focusing so much of its time on rejecting evidencebased medicine and attempting to persecute those who practice it when Iowa is experiencing the second highest new cancer rate and the fastest growing age adjusted rate of new cancers.I want to be very clear: mRNA vaccines work in the cytoplasm by instructing our ribosomes to build proteins and elicit an immune response. The mRNA does not physically cross into the nucleus of our cells and therefore cannot integrate into our DNA. As a medical student who will become a physician in a little over a year, I want to emphasize that continuing these witch hunts against medical professionals who are acting in accordance with evidencebased medicine will directly lead to talented physicians leaving the state.

03-05-2025

Yana Glezina

HF712 is a reckless and dangerous attack on public health. The moment Iowa forces vaccine manufacturers to waive their federal immunity, they will immediately stop supplying vaccines to the statenot just for COVID19, but for measles, polio, tetanus, flu, and countless other preventable diseases.No manufacturer will risk endless lawsuits when they can simply pull out of Iowa and continue supplying vaccines to the rest of the country. This means hospitals, pharmacies, and pediatricians will no longer have vaccines to offer. Once we lose herd immunity, preventable diseases will return fast, hospitalizations will skyrocket, and peopleincluding childrenwill die. And when that happens, people will leave. Families who care about their childrens health will move to states where sciencedenying politicians arent running public health into the ground. Medical professionals will leave. No sane doctor will want to practice in a state where they cant protect their patients. Businesses will relocate rather than watch their workforce get sick from completely preventable outbreaks.And lets talk about the complete lack of logic behind this bill. All medical procedures carry some level of risk. Surgery, childbirth, prescription drugs, even overthecounter painkillersnothing in medicine is 100% riskfree. Are you going to ban all medical procedures because complications sometimes happen? Should hospitals shut down because someone might have an adverse reaction to anesthesia? Are you going to stop selling all medications? This bill is not about safetyits about fearmongering and absolute ignorance.HF712 doesnt protect anyoneit guarantees suffering, death, and the slow decay of Iowa itself. If HF712 passes, Iowa will become a public health wasteland, a place people flee from while the rest of the country moves forward.HF712 is an antiscience disaster waiting to happen, and I urge lawmakers to reject it before they turn Iowa into a public health crisis zone.

03-05-2025

Jaqui Giltner

Guess what, fam? Vaccines arent the boogeyman. The boogeyman out to get you is this GOP House constituency, and Kim Reynolds.Please stop being antiscience morons and kill this bill. Seriously are you wanting to push eugenics?

03-05-2025

Sara Penn

I oppose HF 712. This would limit the lifesaving vaccines allowed in Iowa. Vaccines, regardless of what you've heard, do not actually produce a lot of profit for drug companies, which is why so few even make vaccines. Yet, vaccines have been proven effective time and time again. Please vote NO on this bill. Thank you!

03-06-2025

David Zelinskas [Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association Member]

I strongly support HF712 and holding drug and vaccine manufacturers accountable for their products. The healthcare industry requires all individuals to provide care that is in the best interest of the patient. Providing drug and vaccine manufacturers immunity from the possibility of any wrongdoing as a result of defect or adverse outcomes does not serve our patients. It only protects the drug and vaccine manufacturers. As a provider, I am held liable for any potential poor outcomes as a result of my practice. Drug and vaccine manufacturers should be held to the same standard. David Zelinskas, DO, MPH