Vaccines and Immunizations

Host Ben Kieffer talks with three Statehouse reporters about the legislative proposals that did and didn't clear the second procedural hurdle of the session, and which could still potentially be resurrected.

A proposal that would ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates by employers, schools, businesses and government entities failed to pass in the Iowa House of Representatives Wednesday.

Many of the things people did to protect themselves from COVID are slowly becoming a thing of the past as we approach two years of living in the pandemic. But, many of the state’s Latino communities are still having trouble getting good information about resources for getting through the pandemic.

Experts say it remains vital that more parents get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19 as the number of vaccinations in young children remains low and physicians report seeing a drop in routine childhood vaccinations.

Research suggests breast milk from vaccinated mothers offers at least some protection against the coronavirus. With children under 5 still too young for the vaccine, some parents are seeking out donated breast milk with antibodies for protection.

A House subcommittee has advanced a bill that would prohibit the state’s public universities, schools and licensed child care centers from mandating the COVID-19 vaccine in order for kids to enroll until 2029.

Host Ben Kieffer talks to law scholar Derek Muller about the latest revelations from the January 6th and Department of Justice investigations into the 2020 election. Muller also offers an explanation of the Electoral Count Act, explores questions of racial gerrymandering before federal courts and offers analysis on the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

Polk County is reporting a spike in children who are hospitalized with COVID-19, which experts say is driven by the highly-transmittable omicron variant.

Host Ben Kieffer and his guests talk about the biggest news stories of the week.

It’s the first of several full weeks of subcommittees. Not all bills advance from their first subcommittee hearing. Last year a large bill passed in the Senate about eligibility requirements for many public assistance programs. It did not advance in the House. Now part of the Senate bill dealing only with SNAP benefits comes to a House subcommittee. Also in subcommittees is proposed amendment to the state constitution that would expand and reinforce victims rights. There's a proposal to limit changes to required school vaccinations and a bill that would make Iowa exempt from potential future federal decisions that restrict firearms.