Maternal Vaccination Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8153
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-04-21T08:05:39Z

AI-Generated Summary

Maternal Vaccination Act (H.R. 8153)

Purpose

To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand awareness campaigns and activities aimed at increasing vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a focus on equity for racial and ethnic minority groups, and to support vaccination of their children.

Key Provisions

Expands existing vaccination awareness campaign (Section 313 of the Public Health Service Act):
Includes pregnant and postpartum individuals in efforts to address low vaccination rates.
Broadens partnerships to include prenatal, obstetric (related to pregnancy and childbirth), and pediatric providers.
Targets pregnant and postpartum individuals in outreach materials.
Increases annual funding from $15 million (fiscal years 2021–2025) to $17 million (fiscal years 2027–2031).
Adds new activities to prenatal and postnatal support programs (Section 317(k) of the Public Health Service Act):
Requires efforts to boost vaccination rates for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, and their children.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Updates language in Section 313 to explicitly cover pregnant and postpartum individuals, who were not previously highlighted.
Expands provider partnerships from "prenatal and pediatric" to include "obstetric" care.
Shifts and increases funding authorization to future fiscal years (2027–2031).
Inserts a new requirement in Section 317(k) for targeted vaccination increases among specific groups.

Potential Impacts

Government agencies: Increases funding obligations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to run expanded public health campaigns, potentially improving vaccination data collection and outreach.
Citizens: Pregnant and postpartum individuals, especially from racial and ethnic minority groups, may gain better access to vaccination information and services, potentially reducing health disparities and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
No direct international relations impact.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Their infants and young children.
Healthcare providers (prenatal, obstetric, and pediatric).
HHS and related public health programs.
Taxpayers, due to increased federal spending.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Authorizes additional federal spending on public health equity without mandating vaccinations, aligning with existing voluntary immunization programs under the Public Health Service Act.
Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; falls under Congress's spending power for public health (Article I, Section 8).
Political: Emphasizes health equity for minorities, which may spark debates on targeted federal programs, but remains narrowly focused on awareness and funding extensions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Cosponsors (66)

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] and 16 more