Iowans who are fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine will be granted unemployment benefits

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed a bill that allows residents to obtain unemployment benefits if they are fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

Reynolds, who has opposed other government vaccine mandates, said in a statement that “no Iowan should be forced to lose their job or livelihood over the COVID-19 vaccine,” according to The Associated Press. 

The Iowa legislature passed the bill in a one-day special session Thursday with a 68-27 vote.

The governor also announced Friday that she will join nine other states in suing the Biden administration over its vaccine requirement for workers, the Des Moines Register reported.

Reynolds is vaccinated and has encouraged Iowans to get the vaccine but has stated she believes getting the shot should be a personal choice. 

Nearly 7,000 Iowans have died as a result of the coronavirus, and Iowa is currently 23rd in the country for percentage of its residents fully vaccinated at 55.4 percent, the AP noted.