Terri Sewell introduces bill to increase maternal, childhood vaccinations

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) has introduced a bill that she says will protect the health of babies and mothers by increasing access to vaccinations. 

Titled the Maternal Vaccination Act an announcement from Sewell said that it is among 14 others in a "Momnibus" package that will address maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities, especially among black mothers. 

“In this nation of so much wealth and prosperity, it is unconscionable that our mothers continue to die during pregnancy and childbirth at the highest rate in the developed world," said Sewell.

"I'm proud to be a part of the effort in Congress to address this crisis as the lead sponsor of the Maternal Vaccination Act. Our bill will save lives by protecting our most vulnerable moms and babies from deadly, preventable diseases.”

Sewell's announcement stated that the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate in the world at an estimated 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, with a "disproportionate" amount being black mothers. 

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It further stated that 80% of deaths are preventable with federal help. 

The bill will reportedly due the following: 

• Increase awareness about the safety, importance, and effectiveness of vaccines for pregnant and postpartum people and their children;
• Provide targeted, evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate resources about vaccines to pregnant and postpartum people, particularly in communities with historically low vaccination rates; and
• Provide evidence-based information and resources on the safety and importance of maternal and child vaccinations to public health departments, maternal health care providers, and perinatal health workers.

A text of the legislation can be found here.