The Iowa House Education Committee has approved a bill that would eliminate all vaccination requirements for students in Iowa’s public K-12 schools.
Under current law, parents must provide school officials with proof that a child has been vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, hepatitis B and chickenpox. Vaccination against meningococcal disease is required for students in seventh through 12th grades.
Republican Rep. Brooke Boden of Indianola says parents can already seek medical or religious exemptions but argues the bill would give families full authority over vaccination decisions.
Democratic Rep. Heather Matson of Ankeny says childhood vaccines save lives and warns the proposal could put students at risk.
Iowa medical groups oppose the bill, saying schools are environments where illnesses spread quickly and eliminating vaccination requirements would likely increase preventable disease.
