Declare Meningitis Awareness Day

April 24, 2020, as Meningitis Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 24, 2020, as Meningitis Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Meningitis Day; and WHEREAS, Meningococcal disease, more commonly referred to as bacterial meningitis, is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis; and WHEREAS, Meningococcal disease is uncommon; however, when it strikes, its flu-like symptoms make diagnosis difficult; and WHEREAS, Meningococcal disease can cause serious illness such as infection of the lining of the brain and spinal column (meningitis) or blood infections (sepsis); the disease strikes quickly and can lead to severe or permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb amputation or even lead to death within 24-48 hours; and WHEREAS, Although 1 in 10 people are carriers for this bacteria with no signs or symptoms of disease, sometimes Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can cause illness; and WHEREAS, There are different strains of bacterial meningitis, including serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B, and vaccines exist to help provide protection against all the serogroups commonly seen in the United States; and WHEREAS, The single best way to help prevent all common strains of meningococcal disease is to be vaccinated with both a MenACWY vaccine and a separate MenB vaccine; and WHEREAS, Meningococcal disease is spread from person to person via the exchange of the bacteria through respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact, such as sharing beverages or eating utensils, kissing, or spending time in close contact with someone who is sick or who carries the bacteria; and WHEREAS, Community settings in which large groups of people gather, like college campuses, can increase the risk of the spread of meningococcal disease; and WHEREAS, Because of the way meningitis is spread, through close personal contact, and that the social behavior of young adults ages

17-23 increases their risk of contracting the disease; students in dormitory settings and crowded events, are particularly vulnerable to meningococcal disease; and WHEREAS, While vaccines for serogroups A, C, W, and Y have been available for many years, prior to 2014, there were no vaccines available for serogroup B; and WHEREAS, Despite the existence of a serogroup B vaccine, meningitis B has been responsible for all U.S. college campus outbreaks since 2011, with some cases resulting in death; and WHEREAS, Because the B strain of meningitis requires a new, separate vaccination, students heading to college may mistakenly think that if they received the MenACWY vaccine that they are protected against all strains and may not realize they are not protected against the B strain; and WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B accounts for approximately half of all meningococcal cases among persons aged 17-23 years in the U.S.; and WHEREAS, Vaccination for serogroups A, C, W and Y is routinely recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that decisions to vaccinate adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years of age against serogroup B meningococcal disease should be made at the individual level with health care providers; and WHEREAS, In accordance with ACIP recommendations, Chapter 401 of the Laws of 2015, required that as of September 1, 2016, children entering grades 7, 8 and 12 be immunized against meningococcal disease strains A, C, W, and Y; and WHEREAS, New York State Public Health Law (NYS PHL) § 2167 requires institutions, including colleges and universities, to distribute information about meningococcal disease and vaccination to all students meeting the enrollment criteria, whether they live on or off campus; and WHEREAS, While New York State Law does not require vaccination against serogroup B meningococcal disease, young adults aged 16-23 may choose to receive the MenB vaccine series, and are encouraged to discuss the MenB vaccine with a healthcare provider; and WHEREAS, Meningitis vaccines are covered by public and private insurance plans, and individuals are encouraged to contact their health insurance plan to determine coverage of MenACWY and MenB vaccines; and WHEREAS, The federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) and NYS Vaccines for Adults (VFA) programs will cover both MenACWY and MenB vaccines for children and adults who have no health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover these vaccines, as well as for children less than 19 years of age who are American Indian or Alaska Native or eligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus; and WHEREAS, Students, parents, educators and health care providers need to know about all strains of meningitis and how to protect against all strains; and WHEREAS, A Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet is available on the New York State Department of Health website; and WHEREAS, June is a time when students are preparing to go to college and can discuss how to become fully vaccinated with their health care provider; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 24, 2020, as Meningitis Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Meningitis Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.