UNDERWOOD, SEWELL LEGISLATION TO INCREASE MATERNAL VACCINATION RATES PASSES THE HOUSE WITH UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

Statement

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07)'s legislation to provide critical funding to increase maternal vaccination rates and reduce vaccination disparities has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Maternal Vaccination Act is part of Underwood's Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and comes on the heels of the first bill of the "Momnibus' being signed into law by President Biden.

"Low vaccination rates put both mothers and babies at risk, so we must work to increase maternal vaccinations during this public health emergency and beyond. I was proud to see the House of Representatives pass Congresswoman Terri Sewell's Maternal Vaccination Act with unanimous bipartisan support--it's a crucial part of my Momnibus package that will protect moms and babies against vaccine-preventable diseases and save lives," said Underwood. "I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill and other key priorities from the Momnibus and get them signed into law."

"Today, the House took an important step in our fight to address the nation's urgent maternal health crisis by passing my Maternal Vaccination Act!" said Sewell. "We know that the U.S. suffers from the highest pregnancy-related death rate in the developed world with Black women facing disproportionately high maternal mortality rates."

"By providing funding to increase immunization rates for women and babies from communities with historically low vaccination rates, my Maternal Vaccination Act will help protect our mothers and babies from preventable diseases," continued Sewell. "Passage of this bill brings us one step closer to ensuring that women of every background enjoy equal access to maternal health care."

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