Maternal Vaccinations Act
Bill: S.345 | Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim (D-VA)
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Maternal Vaccinations Act
This bill establishes a national campaign to raise awareness and increase rates of maternal vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must consult with various stakeholders to carry out this campaign.
In addition, the CDC must focus on increasing vaccination rates among communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated individuals. The CDC must also make publicly available any materials and resources developed for the campaign.

To establish a national campaign to increase maternal vaccination 
                                 rates.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maternal Vaccinations Act''.

SEC. 2. MATERNAL VACCINATION AWARENESS AND EQUITY CAMPAIGN.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall carry 
out a national campaign to--
            (1) increase awareness of the importance of maternal 
        vaccinations for the health of pregnant and postpartum 
        individuals and their children; and
            (2) increase maternal vaccination rates, with a focus on 
        communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated 
        individuals.
    (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the campaign under this section, 
the Secretary shall consult with relevant community-based 
organizations, health care professional associations and public health 
associations, State public health departments and local public health 
departments, Tribal-serving organizations, nonprofit organizations, and 
nationally recognized private entities.
    (c) Activities.--The campaign under this section shall--
            (1) focus on increasing maternal vaccination rates in 
        communities with historically high rates of unvaccinated 
        individuals, including for pregnant and postpartum individuals 
        from racial and ethnic minority groups;
            (2) include efforts to engage with pregnant and postpartum 
        individuals in communities with historically high rates of 
        unvaccinated individuals to seek input on the development and 
        effectiveness of the campaign;
            (3) provide evidence-based, culturally congruent resources 
        and communications efforts; and
            (4) be carried out in partnership with trusted individuals 
        and entities in communities with historically high rates of 
        unvaccinated individuals, including community-based 
        organizations, community health centers, perinatal health 
        workers, and maternity care providers.
    (d) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall ensure that the information 
and resources developed for the campaign under this section are made 
publicly available and shared with relevant Federal, State, and local 
entities.
    (e) Evaluation.--Not later than the end of fiscal year 2025, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) establish quantitative and qualitative metrics to 
        evaluate the campaign under this section; and
            (2) submit a report detailing the impact of the campaign 
        under this section to Congress.
    (f) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Maternity care provider.--The term ``maternity care 
        provider'' means a health care provider who--
                    (A) is a physician, physician assistant, midwife 
                who meets at a minimum the international definition of 
                the midwife and global standards for midwifery 
                education as established by the International 
                Confederation of Midwives, nurse practitioner, or 
                clinical nurse specialist; and
                    (B) has a focus on maternal or perinatal health.
            (2) Perinatal health worker.--The term ``perinatal health 
        worker'' means a doula, community health worker, peer 
        supporter, breastfeeding and lactation educator or counselor, 
        nutritionist or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, 
        home visitor, language interpreter, or navigator.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2022 through 2026.
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