2010-03

In Support Of Puerto Rico’s “Act For The Prevention Of Bacterial Meningitis”

Senator Lucy Arce Ferrer (PR). Senator Angel Martínez Santiago (PR)

PR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS PREVENTION ACT

WHEREAS, meningitis or meningococcal disease is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord that causes the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges; and

WHEREAS, meningococcal disease can be a life threatening disease if not treated properly and in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, bacterial meningitis is usually more severe than viral, fungal, or parasitic meningitis; it can be treated with antibiotics that may prevent severe illness and reduce the spread of infection from person to person; and

WHEREAS, meningococcal disease tends to spread quickly wherever larger groups of people gather together; therefore, college students living in dormitories, military personnel and children in childcare facilities are at an increased risk; and

WHEREAS, vaccination is an effective way to protect adolescents against certain serogroups of meningococcal disease and the risk of meningococcal disease may increase by not following the recommended adolescent vaccination schedule for meningococcal disease; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is recommended for certain high risk children from ages 2 through 10; routinely recommended for all 11 through 18 year olds; and either the MPSV4 vaccine or the MCV4 vaccine is recommended in the case of college freshmen living in dormitories, military recruits, adults with a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed, adults with terminal complement deficiency, microbiologists who are routinely exposed to Neisseria Meningitidis (the causal pathogen), adults who are traveling or residing in countries in which the disease is hyper endemic or epidemic; and

WHEREAS, 37 states already require compulsory vaccination for university students who live in dormitories and/or public education efforts to promote vaccination in accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC); and

WHEREAS, it is also important to promote prevention approaches and the development of educational programs to create awareness about this devastating illness and urge parents to learn more about meningococcal disease and adolescent meningitis and speak with their child’s physician about immunization and help communicate important disease and prevention messages to schools and communities; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, to fully support that other states and territories introduce bills requiring vaccination for bacterial meningitis among university students who live in dormitories and or student residences or apartments in Puerto Rico.

Sponsored by:
Senator Lucy Arce Ferrer (PR).
Senator Angel Martínez Santiago (PR)

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT THE SUMMER, 2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, HELD JULY 10, 2010 IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.