Virdell to lead the effort to ban mRNA vaccines in Texas

State Representative Wesley Virdell introduced legislation that would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of mRNA-based medical products used to prevent or treat communicable diseases in Texas. House Bill 3176, if passed, would take effect September 1, 2025.

The bill’s broad scope extends beyond COVID-19 vaccines to include any medical treatment using messenger RNA technology that targets infectious diseases. This would impact both existing treatments and future medical innovations currently in development.

The proposed ban comes amid ongoing research showing multiple benefits of mRNA technology, including rapid vaccine development, proven safety profiles, and potential applications for treating various diseases including certain cancers. Medical institutions have documented that mRNA-based treatments do not alter human DNA and have prevented millions of severe COVID-19 cases worldwide.

The legislation follows similar efforts in other states, including Montana and Florida, where Republican lawmakers have pushed for restrictions on mRNA medical products. These initiatives have faced strong opposition from healthcare professionals and medical associations, who argue such bans would severely limit options for disease prevention and treatment.

If enacted, Texas would become one of the first states to implement a comprehensive ban on mRNA medical products, potentially affecting the state’s ability to respond to future public health emergencies and limiting access to emerging medical treatments.

The bill has been referred to committee for initial review. Healthcare organizations and medical professionals across Texas are expected to testify about the potential impacts of such restrictions on public health and medical innovation.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products developed using mRNA material in the prevention or treatment of a communicable disease.        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:        SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 431, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 431.0215 to read as follows:        Sec. 431.0215.  ADDITIONAL PROHIBITED ACTS. (a)  In this section, “mRNA material” means a substance that introduces messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) corresponding to a viral protein.        (b)  A person may not manufacture, sell, or distribute a product developed through the use of mRNA material in the prevention or treatment of a communicable disease.         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.