Rep. Terri Sewell Introduces Maternal Vaccination Act to Protect Mothers and Newborns

March 20, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL07) has introduced new federal legislation aimed at improving the health and safety of pregnant women and their babies by increasing maternal and childhood vaccination rates. The proposal, known as the Maternal Vaccination Act, is included in the broader Black Maternal Health "Momnibus", a package of 14 bills designed to address the nation's maternal mortality crisis.

Rep. Sewell, a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, said the legislation is urgently needed to confront the United States' persistently high rates of pregnancy‑related deaths.

"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," Sewell said. "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."

A National Crisis With Deep Racial Disparities

The United States continues to experience the highest maternal mortality rate among high‑income nations, with an estimated 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024. Alabama remains among the states with the most severe outcomes for pregnant women.

Black women face the greatest risk, dying from pregnancy‑related causes at three times the rate of white women. Public health experts estimate that more than 80% of these deaths are preventable, underscoring the need for comprehensive federal action.

Why Maternal Vaccination Matters

Pregnancy increases vulnerability to complications from infectious diseases, making vaccination a critical tool for protecting maternal health. Vaccines also safeguard newborns, who rely on maternal antibodies for protection during the first months of life.

The Maternal Vaccination Act seeks to close gaps in vaccination access and awareness by funding a nationwide public and provider education campaign. The initiative would:

Increase awareness about the safety, importance, and effectiveness of vaccines for pregnant and postpartum women and their children.

Provide targeted, culturally and linguistically appropriate resources to communities with historically low vaccination rates.

Equip public health departments, maternal health providers, and perinatal workers with evidence‑based information on maternal and childhood vaccinations.

Part of a Broader Push to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Sewell's bill joins a suite of proposals in the Momnibus aimed at addressing every major driver of maternal mortality and morbidity, including access to care, social determinants of health, and systemic inequities.