PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Reintroduces Bill to Address Transportation Barriers to Help Americans Access Vaccinations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

Rep. Barragán Reintroduces Bill to Address Transportation Barriers to Help Americans Access Vaccinations

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) reintroduced the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to support Americans getting vaccinated by creating a grant program for community organizations to address transportation barriers.

Grants can be used to provide on-demand transportation for patients directly or pay for transportation services, such as ride-share companies to bring the patients to and from their vaccine appointments. This bill builds upon Rep. Barragán's COVID Vaccine Transportation Access Act (H.R. 3013) in 2021, which focused on ensuring that people in communities facing transportation barriers could reach their COVID vaccine and booster shot appointments during the pandemic.

"Getting vaccinated can help protect against preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and increased health care costs across communities," said Rep. Barragán. "But in many communities like mine, patients may lack the financial resources or reliable transportation to get to their routine check-up - and the closest health center or hospital can be miles away. That is why I'm proud to reintroduce the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to help ensure that Americans can receive the critical preventive care they need, especially at a time when vaccine access and affordability are under attack."

"Transportation should never stand between a patient and getting a lifesaving vaccine. The Vaccine Transportation Access Act is a smart, practical step that helps communities close that gap. The AAFP is proud to endorse this legislation because it strengthens access, supports evidence-based care and helps ensure every patient - regardless of where they live - can get the vaccinations they need to stay healthy," said Sarah Nosal, MD, FAAFP, President of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

"The American College of Physicians strongly believes that immunizations are one of our most important tools to protect public and personal health. However, in order to realize this protection, patients need to be able to access vaccines. Legislation like the Vaccine Transportation Access Act, which would provide resources to help patients get transportation to vaccine appointments, is key to improving access, getting patients vaccinated and protecting our communities," said Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, President of American College of Physicians (ACP).

"Uber is a powerful platform for reducing transportation barriers to healthcare access. We are glad to support Congresswoman Nanette Barragán's legislation, which would help ensure vulnerable populations can consistently reach the care they need," said Javi Correoso, Head of Federal Affairs, Uber.

The Vaccine Transportation Act will ensure that the grant program applies to vaccines, as long as they are recommended by:

• The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as of October 25, 2024; or
• Evidence-based clinical care guidelines from U.S. professional medical societies.

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. André Carson, Steve Cohen, Debbie Dingell, Jesús "Chuy" García, Dan Goldman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Darren Soto, Paul Tonko, and Marc Veasey.

The Vaccine Transportation Access Act is endorsed by theAmerican Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Lyft, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID), Uber, and Vaccinate Your Family.

To view the full bill text, click HERE.

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