• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, January 29, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Reynolds Said Iowa Must Take a Stand as a State Against Vaccine Passports

Gov. Kim Reynolds: "I strongly oppose vaccine passports, and I believe that we must take a stand as a state against them which I intend to do."

Shane Vander HartbyShane Vander Hart
April 7, 2021
in State Government
Reading Time: 3 mins read

DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds said that she strongly opposed vaccine passports during her press conference on Wednesday morning.

RELATED POSTS

Bird joins lawsuit against Biden Administration’s Parole Action

Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

School choice bill advances through legislative committees

“Since the start of the pandemic. I’ve consistently put my trust in Iowans to do the right thing rather than demand or mandate it, and vaccination is no different. While I believe in the efficacy of the vaccine, enough to get it myself and encourage Iowans to do the same. I also respect that it’s a personal choice. But I strongly oppose vaccine passports, and I believe that we must take a stand as a state against them which I intend to do, either through legislation or executive action,” she stated.

“I will also continue to do my part to educate and encourage Iowans about the importance of being vaccinated. But as I said we will take action either through the legislature or with executive action against vaccine passports,” she added.

The Biden Administration has worked with private companies to develop a set of standards for people to prove they received the COVID-19 vaccine in some form of credentials or passport. More companies say they will require proof of vaccination before they reopen for business.

Reynolds was asked to elaborate later in the press conference and pointed out there are privacy and religious liberty concerns with requiring vaccine passports.

“I think when you’re what you’re doing when you move forward with something like that is you’re creating a two-tiered society, and it’s that you either engage, or you’re marginalized,” she said. “What are they doing with the data? It is more big government overseeing what’s happening, and so we want to make sure that that doesn’t move forward in the state of Iowa.”

Several states have taken steps to prohibit vaccine passports.

Reynolds also announced that over 1.7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the state. That number, she said, represents 83 percent of all of the doses delivered in the state, ranking Iowa 10th in the nation in vaccine administration.

She also said 44 percent of Iowans aged 18 or older had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. She also said 87 percent of Iowans 65-years-old or older have had the first dose or one dose (the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose, Moderna and Pfizer require two).

Reynolds said that Iowa ranks 9th in the nation, with 28 percent of its population being fully vaccinated.

She noted that this week is a milestone week with vaccinations being open to all Iowans, and 16 and 17-year-olds are approved to take the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are limited to people 18-year-old or older.

Reynolds also said that Iowa had received its largest allocation of vaccines to date, receiving 160,770 doses. She noted that the state would see a decrease in Johnson & Johnson vaccines over the next two weeks. Those will primarily be allocated for use on college campuses and for anyone who would benefit from just a one-dose vaccine.

ADVERTISEMENT

She pointed out that the current uptick in cases has been among young adults. She also noted that hospitalizations are stable in Iowa, but now middle-aged Iowans make up most of the recent hospitalizations since most older Iowans are now vaccinated.

“The vaccination rate among middle-aged adults is lower. We’re just seeing 35 percent of Iowans in their 40s, and about 39 percent in their 50s have had at least one dose of vaccine. So now that the vaccination is open to all Iowans, we have an opportunity, and really we have a responsibility to change that. So I’m asking Iowans, if you’re comfortable, please take the first vaccine that’s offered to you rather than wait for one that you believe is better than the others. Every one of the vaccines are safe and effective, especially at preventing serious illness that can result in serious hospitalization and death,” Reynolds said.

Listen to the full press conference below:

Tags: COVID-19COVID-19 vaccineKim Reynolds
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Iowa Senate Revises House Version of the Abortion Neutrality Amendment

Next Post

Hendrickson: Iowa Needs a Property Tax Solution

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of The Iowa Torch.

Related Posts

Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts
State Government

Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

January 24, 2023
Study: $1,702 Collected in Property Taxes Per Capita in Iowa
Opinion

Hendrickson & Williams: To achieve meaningful property tax relief, right size government 

January 24, 2023
Reynolds Signs Charter School Expansion Bill Into Law
Opinion

Reynolds: An open letter to Iowans about school choice

January 23, 2023
The Iowa House Education Reform Committee debating HSB 1 on January 18, 2023.
State Government

School choice bill advances through legislative committees

January 19, 2023
Iowa National Guard’s top general announces retirement
State Government

Iowa National Guard’s top general announces retirement

January 19, 2023
Holt: Education, Free Speech & Justice for All
Opinion

Holt: It’s time to empower parents through school choice

January 12, 2023
Next Post
Hendrickson: Iowa Needs a Property Tax Solution

Hendrickson: Iowa Needs a Property Tax Solution

AARP Iowa Warns About Scam Artists Posing as Clergy

AARP Iowa Warns About Scam Artists Posing as Clergy

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Full Speech: Corell Delivers Condition of the Guard Address

Full Speech: Corell Delivers Condition of the Guard Address

January 14, 2022
Miller Urges Congress to Extend Deadline to Use CARES Act Funding

AG: Pandemic and Derecho Help Boost Consumer Complaints 24.4 Percent

January 21, 2021
Iowa DNR Announces Derelict Building Grant Recipients

Iowa DNR Announces Derelict Building Grant Recipients

July 3, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Local Rap Artist’s Non-Profit Receives Grant to Help At-Risk Youth Graduate

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House Republicans outline priorities with first 13 bills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Senate Passes Governor’s School Choice Bill

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.