State Legislatures Consider Limiting mRNA Vaccine Technology
While the COVID-19 vaccines were the first mRNA technologies approved by the FDA, NIH scientists have been studying the technology since the 1960s. Now, mRNA technology is being explored for other diseases like cancer and the flu. Due to controversies stemming from the COVID pandemic response, including the vaccines, conservative legislators in 12 states have introduced legislation limiting mRNA vaccine technology.
Iowa legislators are considering a measure (SF 360) that would penalize doctors and nurses with a misdemeanor, and fines of as much as $500 for each shot of a "gene-based" vaccine they provide. However, the sponsor, Senator Doug Campbell (R), has announced his intention to amend the legislation to require vaccine manufacturers to waive liability protections to sell their vaccines in the state.
Idaho has a pending measure (SB 1036) that would prohibit the administration, by any route or modality, of any human gene therapy product for any infectious disease indication until 2035. With this year’s legislative session’s planned adjournment of March 21, this bill is not expected to move.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) held a press conference last week urging lawmakers to permanently ban vaccine mandates using mRNA technology, as a current, more general, law is slated to expire this summer.
While legislation typically intends to limit the use of the COVID-19 vaccine, scientists and manufacturers are wary of other consequences. Moderna wrote, in a statement to Axios, that such laws "could hinder important research and limit patient access to innovative treatments, potentially delaying life-changing medical advancements."
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