I see we have yet another bill introduced in the Iowa legislature seeking to make vaccine manufacturers liable for “design defects” resulting in injuries related to vaccines. This feels like déjà vu. Last year HF 712 targeted the Covid 19 vaccine. The bill died in the funnel. This year, the same sponsors introduced HF 2287—which is a similar bill that would target all vaccines.
One news story indicated that the sponsors were open to adding an amendment that would allow vaccine manufacturers to distribute vaccines in Iowa as long as patients sign a form that waives their right to sue the manufacturer as long as they are informed of the risks. I’m not sure how the forms would be made available to the public.
I thought patients, under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, already have access to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). Even if they don’t get compensated through that program, they can still sue the manufacturers. I thought the “design defect” issue had been dealt with.
This new bill broadens the products in that it looks like it includes all vaccines, even those children typically get. There are already many parties have gone on record opposing HF 2287, including but not limited to:
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Iowa Medical Society
Iowa Pharmacy Association
Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics
Iowa Public Health Association
Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics
I think vaccine manufacturers will avoid Iowa if this bill becomes law. It could lead to an uptick in the communicable diseases burden, as though we need any more of that.
Go Retire Psychiatrist 