{"id":12748,"date":"2025-05-06T15:01:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midamerica.news\/winnebago-county-tribune\/?p=12748"},"modified":"2025-05-06T15:08:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:08:18","slug":"senate-approves-bill-requiring-schools-to-publicize-vaccine-exemption-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midamerica.news\/winnebago-county-tribune\/2025\/05\/06\/senate-approves-bill-requiring-schools-to-publicize-vaccine-exemption-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Approves Bill Requiring Schools To Publicize Vaccine Exemption Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Robin Opsahl<\/em><\/p>\n

Any communication from schools on immunization requirements would have to include information and requirements for families seeking an exemption under a bill sent to the governor April 29th.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A teacher checks a student’s temperature. (Photo by RDNE Stock project, Pexels<\/a>).<\/small><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

House File 299<\/a> was passed by the Senate 32-16. The bill requires all Iowa K-12 schools, as well as child care centers, community colleges, universities under the Iowa Board of Regents as well as private universities using the tuition grant program, to include information on exemptions when communicating with students and families about vaccine requirements. For child care facilities and K-12 schools, information on vaccine requirement exemptions must also be published on their website and be included in student registration documents.<\/p>\n

Republicans who spoke in support of the measure said it was needed because there were some reports of school staff falsely claiming that vaccines were required \u2014 with no exceptions \u2014 for students to be able to attend school.<\/p>\n

Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, shared a story from a mother who spoke on the bill during a subcommittee meeting. He said the woman claimed that while she was registering her child for an exemption to vaccine requirements, she witnessed another parent being told they needed to get vaccinations despite expressing they did not want to vaccine their child.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first mother came and said, \u2018There are exemptions, you know, you don\u2019t have to do that,\u2019 and the school official said, \u2018I\u2019m sorry, no shots, no school,’\u201d Guth said. \u201cThat\u2019s just not the truth. We have a law in Iowa, and this will help make sure that that law is upheld.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iowa law requires students to receive vaccinations<\/a> to enroll in schools, including receiving the polio, measles, hepatitis B, varicella and meningococcal vaccines while in the K-12 school system. However, families have the ability to opt out from these requirements if vaccinating their child \u201cconflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief.\u201d The law does not require families to obtain a waiver or specify their religion to claim the exemption.<\/p>\n

Medical exemptions can also be granted by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who finds a required vaccination would be harmful to the health and well-being of the child or a member of their family.<\/p>\n

While exemptions exist, Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Marion, said the bill \u201crisks sending a mixed message about the importance of the safety of vaccines\u201d by emphasizing vaccine exemptions, potentially putting students in danger by diminishing herd immunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe implications of this legislation could undermine public health efforts and lead to increased vaccine hesitancy, weakening our state and threatening our children,\u201d Donahue said. \u201cTo be clear, vaccinations are safe. And this bill is particularly troubling when a resurgence of preventable diseases in areas with low vaccine rates is happening. Right now, we see measles popping up in multiple states.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of April 24, there have been a total of 884 confirmed measles cases in 29 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/a> The largest outbreak has been in Texas<\/a>, where two unvaccinated children died from the disease. Though no cases have been reported in Iowa since 2019, according to state public health officials<\/a>, the neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota have reported confirmed measles cases in 2025.<\/p>\n

Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner also emphasized the efficacy of the measles vaccine in the wake of the recent outbreak and deaths from the disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m left wondering how many have looked at the numbers of graves of young children in cemeteries prior to the advent of these vaccines, or looked into the long-term effects of measles on the immune system,\u201d Weiner said. \u201c\u2026 It is preventable, completely preventable through vaccination, and that is the most effective way to protect individuals and communities from measles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having a wide majority of a people vaccinated \u2014 95% \u2014 is needed to provide overall community protection from measles, according to medical professionals<\/a>, especially for those who cannot get vaccinated because of issues like age or other health problems. Weiner said the bill will allow families to \u201cfeel free and are actually encouraged to opt out of life-saving vaccines,\u201d which will put others at risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is unnecessary and in my view, irresponsible,\u201d Weiner said. \u201cWe have a duty to Iowans. We should be informing the public about the safety, efficacy and importance of the measles and other vaccinations, and working to keep kids healthy and Iowans healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, said the measure is not taking a stance on vaccines. He called the bill \u201can honesty bill,\u201d because it is requiring schools share accurate information on vaccination requirements \u2014 and the fact that parents can seek exemptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s troubling to me is a handful of schools in the state that decide it\u2019s okay to lie to parents, that if you don\u2019t receive shots then you can\u2019t send your kids to school,\u201d Green said. \u201cThat is a lie, and our parents in the state of Iowa deserve better. And so that\u2019s what this bill ensures. It ensures an honest conversation between the taxpayers, the parents and the schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bill, which the Iowa House passed in March, goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds for final approval.<\/p>\n