Idaho Lawmakers Seek to Criminalize Giving mRNA Vaccines

A health care worker prepares a dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in a file image. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Republican lawmakers from Idaho have proposed a measure that would make it a misdemeanor in the state to administer mRNA vaccines.

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not provide or administer a vaccine developed using messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology for use in an individual or any other mammal in this state,” according to House Bill 154 (pdf), which was introduced by state Sen. Tammy Nichols and Rep. Judy Boyle on Feb. 15. “A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.”