Eastern Iowa’s members of U.S. Congress say they support vaccinations

CEDAR RAPIDS — Ever since a measles outbreak in December was traced to the Disneyland Resort in California, a debate has raged over whether childhood vaccinations for common communicable diseases are good practice and good public policy.

Health officials tied more than 100 cases of measles to the Disneyland outbreak, which has spread to 14 states — and injected the issue into the presidential campaign.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a possible Republican candidate, landed in hot water when he said that although he had vaccinated his children, 'I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that's the balance that the government has to decide.'

And Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, another possible Republican candidate, suggested vaccinations should be largely voluntary.

Citing common sense, Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic presidential candidate, tweeted: 'The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork.'

Part of the debate, health experts say, is that a number of unsubstantiated claims have scared some parents into not vaccinating their children, including a belief that vaccines can cause autism. Still, immunization rates in Iowa are consistent with or exceed national averages.

When asked this week how they feel about the issue, Eastern Iowa's representatives in Congress came down on the side of vaccinating their own children and, for the most part, others doing so as well with their children as public policy.

Here are their responses:

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, Republican:

'I believe, although I'd have to check with my wife, I believe all of our kids had vaccinations. I'm sure that all of our grandchildren have had vaccinations because I've never heard any of my kids says anything derogatory about it.'

(His grandson, state Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, confirmed his children received vaccinations.)

'I believe that it is a state and local issue and ought to remain a state and local issue. ... Since I've never questioned (vaccination requirements) I'd guess I'd have to say that by the absence of raising the issue with anybody that I've accepted it. It's been a policy for a long period of time.'

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Republican:

'Yes, her kids are vaccinated. Joni believes that vaccinations are very important and have played an essential role in controlling a number of deadly and communicable diseases,' spokeswoman Brook Hougesen said. 'Iowa already has laws in place to vaccinate, which safeguard the public health of the state.'

1st District U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, Republican:

'All of Rod's children have been vaccinated,' said spokesman Keegan Conway.

2nd District U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, Democrat:

'Yes, Dave had his children vaccinated' said spokesman Joe Hand. 'He is supportive of the Iowa law, which requires vaccinations and believes it is a matter of public health.'