Should Iowa kids need their parents' permission to get HPV vaccine? Iowa bill says yes
Iowans under age 18 would no longer be able to receive a vaccine for HPV or other sexually transmitted diseases and infections without their parent's consent, under a proposed Iowa bill.
Senate File 2064 is opposed by a range of medical professionals and organization officials, who warned lawmakers at a Wednesday subcommittee hearing that the legislation would harm efforts to protect against cancer, leave at-risk youth vulnerable and violate federal law.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, said he doesn't "believe the proof actually is there" that the vaccination for HPV, which can cause cancer, is safe.
"When you're talking about someone who is less than 18, perhaps only 16 or less when they're trying to do this, are they really able to evaluate what is so safe and effective?" Guth said. "I think that should be in a parent's hands."
The Mayo Clinic says that multiple studies have found the vaccine to be safe, with mild side effects including soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site.
Current Iowa law allows minors to give their own consent on vaccinations for STD infection and prevention (including HPV). The bill would remove that allowance.
Iowa Legislature: Bills target 'obscene' content on social media sites, AI-generated child pornography
Why health advocates oppose the HPV vaccine bill
Representatives from various medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Iowa Public Health Association, said they opposed the bill, citing Iowa's higher rate of HPV-related cancer relative to other states.
Health care experts recommend that adolescents receive the vaccine.
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence said the legislation would endanger victims of abuse who can't receive parental consent to receive the HPV vaccine.
"It's the least they can do to protect themselves from STDs and cancer, including rape victims, domestic abuse victims, human trafficking victims," said Laura Hessburg, the group's director of public policy.
Sen. Kevin Alons, R-Salix, argued that the bill wouldn't "take away the ability to get these vaccines," but rather defer the choice to parents. Alons acknowledged the possibility of conflict with federal law, saying it was an "important" question, but agreed with Guth's assessment of the efficacy and safety of the HPV vaccination.
"I'm not convinced that the evidence is really there," Alons said.
Republicans referenced similar disagreements about the COVID-19 vaccine, which was subject to extensive debate at the Capitol in recent years as conservative lawmakers sought to block COVID vaccination requirements from employers.
The bill, Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said, would set Iowa on "a very dangerous track" where other medical services are restricted from minors in the future.
"Young Iowans who are 16, 17 years old who do in fact think they would like to have testing or treatment for STIs .. could very well see that those freedoms, those rights, are on the chopping block now," Wahls said.
The bill was advanced to a full committee with a 2-1 vote Wednesday.
Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa legislature: Bill would require parental consent for HPV shot
