Bill Summary
The "Maternal Vaccination Act" seeks to enhance awareness and equity regarding maternal vaccination as part of the broader Public Health Service Act. The legislation aims to address low vaccination rates specifically among pregnant and postpartum individuals, ensuring they receive necessary vaccinations to protect both their health and that of their children. Key provisions include:
1. Expanding outreach efforts to include pregnant and postpartum individuals in vaccination campaigns.
2. Updating terminology in the Act to better encompass maternal health care providers.
3. Increasing the funding allocation for related programs from $15 million to $17 million for the years 2027 through 2031.
4. Introducing specific initiatives aimed at boosting vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Overall, the Act emphasizes the importance of vaccination during and after pregnancy to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Possible Impacts
The "Maternal Vaccination Act" as described can have various effects on individuals, particularly pregnant and postpartum individuals, as well as their families and communities. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals**: The act aims to increase awareness and improve vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals. This could lead to a higher percentage of these individuals receiving necessary vaccinations, which in turn can protect both their health and the health of their newborns. This is particularly important for preventing diseases that could affect maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.
2. **Targeted Outreach to Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups**: By emphasizing the inclusion of racial and ethnic minority groups, the legislation seeks to address disparities in vaccination rates that these populations often face. This targeted approach could lead to improved health equity, providing better access to vaccination resources and information, ultimately helping to reduce health disparities and improve overall community health outcomes.
3. **Increased Funding for Maternal Vaccination Programs**: The amendment to increase funding from $15 million to $17 million per year for maternal vaccination awareness campaigns signifies a commitment to enhancing these initiatives. This additional funding could lead to more comprehensive educational campaigns, community outreach programs, and resources that support expectant and new mothers in understanding the importance of vaccinations, which can positively influence public health outcomes in maternal and infant health.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8153 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8153
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal
vaccination awareness and equity, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 27, 2026
Ms. Sewell (for herself, Ms. Underwood, Ms. Adams, Ms. Barragan, Mrs.
Beatty, Mr. Bell, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Carson, Mr. Carter
of Louisiana, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr.
Cohen, Mr. Conaway, Ms. Craig, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms.
DelBene, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Figures, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Garcia of
Illinois, Mrs. Grijalva, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Ivey, Mr.
Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Johnson of
Texas, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Latimer, Mrs. McBath,
Ms. McClellan, Mr. McGarvey, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Menefee,
Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Norton, Ms.
Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Scholten,
Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Soto, Ms.
Stansbury, Ms. Strickland, Mrs. Sykes, Mr. Takano, Ms. Tlaib, Mr.
Veasey, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Ms. Wilson of
Florida, Mr. Gottheimer, and Ms. Meng) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal
vaccination awareness and equity, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Maternal Vaccination Act''.
SEC. 2. MATERNAL VACCINATION AWARENESS AND EQUITY CAMPAIGN.
(a) Campaign.--Section 313 of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 245) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``and among pregnant
and postpartum individuals,'' after ``low rates of
vaccination,'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``prenatal and
pediatric'' and inserting ``prenatal, obstetric, and
pediatric'';
(3) in subsection (d)(4)(B), by inserting ``pregnant and
postpartum individuals and'' after ``including''; and
(4) in subsection (g), by striking ``$15,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``$17,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031''.
(b) Additional Activities.--Section 317(k)(1)(E) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)(E)) is amended--
(1) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) increase vaccination rates of
pregnant and postpartum individuals, including
individuals from racial and ethnic minority
groups, and their children; and''.
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