​SB 1887 Is Dead—for Now. But the Fight for mRNA Innovation and CCMV Prevention Continues

​SB 1887 Is Dead—for Now. But the Fight for mRNA Innovation and CCMV Prevention Continues

Author: National CMV Foundation Board of Directors

At the National CMV Foundation, we envision a future where no child is born with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)—the leading infectious cause of birth defects in the United States. That future depends on science, innovation, and access to the most advanced tools in medicine, including mRNA vaccine technology.
That’s why we watched closely as Texas Senate Bill 1887 (SB 1887) made its way through the legislature. This bill would have banned all mRNA vaccines in Texas, cutting the state off from not only existing vaccines, but also those still in development—including what we believe to be our best chance at preventing congenital CMV.
We are relieved to share that SB 1887 earlier this month in the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, failing to advance before a key legislative deadline. But this is not the end of the story. It’s a warning. While this dangerous bill has been stopped—for now—similar proposals may return in Texas or appear in other states. We must remain vigilant.
 
mRNA: A Critical Tool in Preventing CMV
Congenital CMV affects 1 in 200 babies born in the U.S. each year, causing a range of outcomes from hearing loss to cerebral palsy, vision impairment, and even infant death. It is the most common infectious cause of birth defects—and it is often preventable.

Today, the most promising CMV vaccine candidates use mRNA technology—the same platform used safely and effectively in the fight against COVID-19. mRNA allows scientists to rapidly develop vaccines that teach the immune system to recognize and fight viruses like CMV. These vaccines are already in clinical trials and hold enormous promise to dramatically reduce congenital CMV for future generations.
A ban on mRNA vaccines, like the one proposed in SB 1887, would block families in Texas from ever accessing a CMV vaccine—and could have discouraged companies and researchers from investing in this life-saving work.
 
What Happened to SB 1887
SB 1887 sought to prohibit the sale, manufacture, or distribution of mRNA vaccines in Texas. It was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where public health advocates, researchers, and concerned citizens raised serious concerns.
The bill ultimately failed to meet the deadline to move out of committee and is now dead for this session. This is a victory for public health and for families who are counting on science to deliver a CMV vaccine.
But the fact that a bill like this advanced as far as it did should alarm us all. It signals a willingness to politicize and restrict access to medical innovation that has the potential to save lives.
 
Why We Must Stay Engaged
The National CMV Foundation stands for science, prevention, and family-centered healthcare. We celebrate the defeat of SB 1887, but we know this isn’t the last attempt we’ll see to restrict mRNA technology.
As an organization dedicated to ending preventable disabilities and deaths caused by CMV, we urge lawmakers, health professionals, and families across the country to:

• Stay informed about legislation that affects vaccine development and access.
• Speak out when science is under threat.
• Support policies that encourage innovation and protect maternal and child health.

We cannot let fear and misinformation undermine decades of progress—or the possibility of a future where CMV is no longer a threat.

mRNA is not just a technology. It is a lifeline. And for families affected by CMV, it represents hope.