2016-15
Meningococcal Disease Awareness
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC ESTEVEZ (NH) HEALTH TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, or meningococcus. Although 1 in 10 people are carriers for this bacteria with no signs or symptoms of disease, sometimes Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can cause illness1; and
WHEREAS, meningococcal disease is spread from person to person via the exchange of the bacteria through respiratory and throat secretion during close or lengthy contact2; and
WHEREAS, in the U.S., there are approximately 1,000 to 1,200 cases of meningococcal disease that occur each year3, and
WHEREAS, 10 to 15 percent of infected individuals will die, while 11 to 19 percent of those who live will suffer from serious morbidity, including loss of limbs and impacts to the nervous system4, and
WHEREAS, infants under one year of age, as well as young adults between the ages of 16 and 21, are most commonly impacted by this disease5; and
WHEREAS, there are different strains or serogroups of Neisseria meningitides, with serogroups B, C, and Y, accounting for most meningococcal diseases in the US6; and
WHEREAS, there have been several recent outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease on college campuses, with some cases resulting in death;7 and
WHEREAS, there are vaccines that help provide protection against all three serogroups (B, C, and Y) commonly seen in the United States; and
WHEREAS, vaccination for serogroups A, C, W and Y is routinely recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention8; 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 providers9; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that students, parents, educators, and health care providers understand the dangers of meningitis B and are aware that a vaccine is available to prevent disease resulting from this serogroup;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the recent incidence of meningococcal disease has served as a reminder of the critical role vaccinations play in helping to prevent this devastating illness; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators take all reasonable steps to urge all private and public high schools, colleges, and universities to provide information to all students and parents about meningococcal disease, explaining the different disease serogroups, symptoms, risks, and treatment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such information shall also include a notice of availability, benefits, risks, and limitations of all meningococcal vaccines receiving a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including Category A and Category B recommendations, with specific information as to those persons at higher risk for the disease; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NHCSL urges each private and public high school, college, and university to provide current and entering students meningococcal vaccines in accordance with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED ON AUGUST 11, 2016, AT THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BUSINESS BOARD OF ADVISORS MEETING HELD IN CHICAGO, IL.
Sponsored by: Representative Eric Estevez
1 http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html
2 http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html
3 “Meningococcal VIS (Vaccine Information Statement)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. May 2015. < http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html>
4 “Meningococcal VIS (Vaccine Information Statement)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. May 2015. < http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html>
5 “Meningococcal VIS (Vaccine Information Statement)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. May 2015. < http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html>
6 http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html
7 http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/downloads/interim-guidance.pdf
8 http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/prevention.html
9 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-national-meningitis-association-supports-cdcs-advisory-committee-on-immunization-practices-permissive-recommendation-of-serogroup-b-meningococcal-vaccination-for-teens-and-young-adults-300104275.html