Maternal Vaccinations Act

S. 4132, the Maternal Vaccinations Act, would amend the Public Health Service Act to increase vaccination rates for pregnant and postpartum individuals. If enacted, the bill would provide federal funding for public and provider education campaigns focused on maternal and childhood vaccinations, including vaccines for influenza, HPV, and pneumonia. The legislation would support targeted outreach to communities with historically low vaccination rates, provide culturally and linguistically appropriate vaccine information to pregnant and postpartum people, and equip healthcare providers and public health departments with evidence-based resources on the safety and importance of maternal vaccinations.

Proponents argue the bill addresses a significant public health concern. The U.S. currently has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths considered preventable. Maternal vaccination is intended to protect pregnant individuals from infection-related complications and to provide newborns with antibodies during their first months of life. The bill currently is under consideration by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.