Montana Could Make History as the First State to Ban mRNA Vaccines

Montana Considers Becoming the First U.S. State to Ban mRNA Vaccine Use

On February 7, a hearing was held in the Montana state legislature concerning a proposed bill that would ban the use of mRNA vaccines in humans. Sponsored by State Representative Greg Kmetz with backing from fellow Republicans, if passed, this bill would make Montana the first state in the U.S. to implement such a ban.

The proposed legislation has raised several concerns, particularly regarding misunderstandings about the science behind mRNA vaccines. Despite the mounting evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, particularly those developed for COVID-19, the bill reflects persistent misconceptions about this innovative vaccine technology.

The Misunderstanding of mRNA Vaccines

mRNA vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to prevent COVID-19, have been rigorously studied and have proven to be both safe and effective. Since the pandemic, millions of people have received these vaccines, and ongoing updates have made them the gold standard for protecting against COVID-19.

A study in The Lancet (2024) estimated that mRNA vaccines, along with other COVID vaccines, saved approximately 1.6 million lives in the World Health Organization European Region between December 2020 and March 2023. Additionally, the technology behind these vaccines even earned a Nobel Prize in 2023, further validating their potential for medical breakthroughs beyond COVID-19, including personalized cancer vaccines for diseases like brain, bowel, and skin cancers.

However, despite the overwhelming data supporting mRNA vaccines, opposition remains—especially from figures like Representative Kmetz, who previously sponsored a 2023 bill attempting to block COVID vaccine recipients from donating blood.

Debunking Misconceptions: mRNA and DNA

One of the bill’s key arguments stems from a widespread misconception that mRNA vaccines could alter human DNA. This is simply not true. The text of the bill claims that mRNA vaccines could integrate into the human genome and potentially be passed on to future generations.

In reality, mRNA is a type of genetic material, but it does not interact with our DNA in a way that could alter our genetic makeup. For mRNA to integrate into the human genome, it would need to be converted into DNA via a process called reverse transcription, which is not possible with the mRNA vaccines currently available, as they do not contain the necessary enzymes for this process. Moreover, even if DNA fragments were present (as some claim), these would be harmless remnants from the manufacturing process and are biologically incapable of integrating with our DNA.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, strongly reassured the public that such DNA fragments pose no risk. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency also emphasized that there is no scientific evidence showing that any residual DNA could integrate into cells or affect the vaccinated person.

mRNA Vaccines and "Shedding" Myths

The bill also raises concerns about a phenomenon known as "shedding," which anti-vaccine activists often claim happens with vaccines. While it is true that live vaccines (such as the chickenpox vaccine or the MMR vaccine) can cause rare cases of virus particles being shed from a vaccinated person, mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines. They do not contain any live virus particles. Therefore, "shedding" does not apply to mRNA vaccines, and there is no risk of transmission from a vaccinated person to another.

The Benefits of mRNA Vaccines

The Montana bill claims that mRNA vaccines have caused numerous deaths, disabilities, and adverse events. However, the available scientific data overwhelmingly refutes this claim. Since the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out, over 298 million doses have been administered in the U.S. alone. A 2022 study found that while there were reports of adverse events, 92% were mild (headaches, injection site pain, etc.), and most serious effects were rare and resolved completely. Additional studies have confirmed that the benefits of these vaccines far outweigh the risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, based on the extensive body of evidence supporting their safety.

Legal and Public Health Concerns

Opposition to the bill has come from a variety of sources. State medical officer Douglas Harrington has pointed out the scientific inaccuracies in the bill and warned that it could hinder progress in developing mRNA-based treatments for other diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and influenza. Furthermore, a legal review has suggested that this bill might conflict with the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause, questioning whether individual states have the authority to regulate such matters independently.

Conclusion: The Need for Clarity

In light of the overwhelming scientific consensus supporting the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, it’s crucial that state lawmakers approach this issue with accurate information. As the debate continues in Montana, it is essential to recognize that the evidence supports mRNA vaccines as a major tool in public health, not only for COVID-19 but also for future medical innovations.