OPENING OF THE CENTER THIS YEAR MEANS IN THE NEWS AT SIX. SUZANNE. THANK YOU. WELL, NEW AT FIVE. A BILL REQUIRING A PARENT’S CONSENT FOR MINORS TO GET THE HPV VACCINE COULD SOON BECOME LAW. IOWA REQUIRES PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MINORS TO RECEIVE A VAST MAJORITY OF VACCINATIONS, EXCEPT FOR HPV. THE SHOT HELPS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND INFECTIONS. DOCTORS SAY IT’S BEST TO GET VACCINATED EARLY TO PROTECT YOURSELF. THE GOAL IS WE WE GET OUR CHILDREN, OUR ADOLESCENTS, VACCINATED FOR HPV BEFORE THEY’RE EVER EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS. AND WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, INSTITUTING ANY FORM OF BARRIER TO THAT IS GOING TO LOWER VACCINATION RATES FOR SOMETHING THAT’S A VERY PREVENTABLE CANCER.
Iowa bill requiring parental consent for HPV vaccine moves to governor’s desk
A bill requiring parental consent for minors to receive the HPV vaccine in Iowa is now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law
Updated: 10:48 AM CDT Apr 17, 2026
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A bill that would require parental consent for minors to receive the HPV vaccine in Iowa is now awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature to become law. Iowa currently requires parental consent for minors to receive most vaccinations, but the HPV vaccine has been an exception. The vaccine helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Doctors stress the importance of vaccinating early to ensure protection. “The goal is we get our children, our adolescents vaccinated for HPV before they’re ever exposed to the virus. And we know that, you know, instituting any form of barrier to that is going to lower vaccination rates for something that’s a very preventable cancer,” said Joel Waddell, a pediatric infectious disease physician at UnityPoint Health. The bill now sits on the governor’s desk to be signed into law.WATCH: Iowan advocates for HPV vaccination after cervical cancer diagnosis
DES MOINES, Iowa —
A bill that would require parental consent for minors to receive the HPV vaccine in Iowa is now awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature to become law.
Iowa currently requires parental consent for minors to receive most vaccinations, but the HPV vaccine has been an exception.
The vaccine helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Doctors stress the importance of vaccinating early to ensure protection.
“The goal is we get our children, our adolescents vaccinated for HPV before they’re ever exposed to the virus. And we know that, you know, instituting any form of barrier to that is going to lower vaccination rates for something that’s a very preventable cancer,” said Joel Waddell, a pediatric infectious disease physician at UnityPoint Health.
The bill now sits on the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
WATCH: Iowan advocates for HPV vaccination after cervical cancer diagnosis
