WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced legislation to increase vaccination rates by raising vaccine awareness through a national campaign to combat misinformation.

“There are currently hundreds of people throughout the country suffering from measles, a disease that is 100% preventable thanks to modern medicine,” said Sen. Roberts. “However, misinformation regarding vaccines has led many to opt out of vaccinating their children, which is causing these illnesses to come back at alarming rates. This legislation will help push back at that misinformation and provide scientific evidence on why everyone should be vaccinated.”

“We’ve seen firsthand in Michigan the devastating impacts of diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. No one should have to experience the pain of seeing a loved one fall ill or even lose their life because of a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Sen. Peters. “This bipartisan legislation would raise awareness about the importance of vaccinations to help more families protect their health and lower health care costs by preventing diseases that require expensive treatments.”

“The recent measles outbreak is extremely troubling, especially as the mother of two young daughters,” Sen. Duckworth said. “Vaccinations and immunizations have saved countless lives and are critical in keeping both children and adults safe from preventable deadly diseases. I’m proud to join Senator Peters and Roberts in introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure more Americans understand that vaccines are safe, effective and vital to our nation’s public health.”

The VACCINES Act would amend the Public Health Service Act and direct the CDC to award competitive grants to public or private entities to carry out a national, evidence-based campaign to combat misinformation about vaccines and disseminate scientific vaccine-related information. It would also establish grants to address vaccine-preventable diseases and would support research related to awareness strategies. The VACCINES Act is also included as part of a larger bipartisan legislative package to cut health care costs, released today by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

According to the CDC, as of May 17, 2019, there are 880 cases of measles nationwide since January. Measles was declared eliminated in 2000, and this is the highest number of cases since 1994. It is a highly contagious disease and the majority of infected individuals were unvaccinated.

For video of Senator Roberts discussing this bill, click here.