I am writing to voice my concerns about H.R.4980, a bill “to ensure that any individual traveling on a flight that departs from or arrives to an airport inside the United States or a territory of the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and for other purposes.”

This is dangerous legislation that offers no demonstrable public health benefit, as it will fail to mitigate the spread of disease and will instead further erode the rights of Americans and those wishing to travel to the US. Furthermore, we have yet to learn what “other purposes” this bill would entail.

While HR4980 is presumably intended to reduce the spread of Covid-19, we now know that the fully vaccinated can still become infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others. A new CDC study of the Barnstable County, MA, outbreak in July found that 74% of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated. Of those cases, 79% were symptomatic. Furthermore, 4 out of the 5 people who were hospitalized were fully vaccinated. Additional studies have confirmed that viral loads are similar among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, indicating that both groups share the same potential to transmit SARS-CoV-2. Given this, HR4980 risks creating greater harm by providing a false sense of security to those who plan to travel in and out of the country.

None of the available Covid vaccines have been FDA approved or properly licensed under the federal government. Under Emergency Use Authorization status, these products are by definition experimental. We do not yet have long-term safety and efficacy data and new concerns continue to surface, requiring further investigation from regulatory agencies. Under the Nuremberg Code, consent of the individual is “absolutely essential.” The right to refuse is imperative.

Regulatory authorities have acknowledged that Covid-19 vaccines may elevate the risk of clotting disorders, heart inflammation, and Bell’s Palsy and are investigating patterns of kidney inflammation, nephritic syndrome and menstrual disorders. Other serious side effects have been cited in the over 500,000 VAERS reports that have been submitted. Where there is risk, there must be choice.

It’s time to stop pretending that imposing vaccine compliance, when these shots do not prevent infection or stop transmission, is a legitimate public health measure. It is also irresponsible to push universal vaccination when we know that some will suffer serious harm and even death as a result of taking these measures.
Please protect our Constitutional rights and work with your peers to produce legislation that will “First Do No Harm” to the people you have sworn to represent. When it comes to vaccination, our choice is our voice. According to CDC data, 41% of eligible Americans remain unvaccinated. Given the relentless promotion and widespread availability of this vaccine, it is clear that the vast majority of these people have made a choice. The people have spoken. Please listen.