SR0957 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0957 LRB099 14208 GRL 38271 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

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 illness; 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 contact; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 1,000 to 1,200 cases of meningococcal disease that occur in the United States each year; 10-15% of infected individuals will die, while 11-19% of those who live will suffer from serious morbidity, including loss of limbs and impacts to the nervous system; and

WHEREAS, Infants under one year of age and young adults between the ages of 16 and 21 are most commonly impacted by this disease; and

WHEREAS, There are different strains or serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis, with serogroups B, C, and Y accounting for most meningococcal diseases in the United States; and

WHEREAS, There have been several recent outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease on college campuses, with some cases resulting in death; and

WHEREAS, Vaccines are available to prevent meningococcal disease; different vaccines provide coverage against certain specific serogroups of the disease; and

WHEREAS, While there are vaccines that help provide protection against all 3 serogroups (B, C, and Y) commonly seen in the United States, only 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, 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; and

WHEREAS, The recent incidences of meningococcal disease has served as a reminder of the critical role vaccinations play in helping to prevent this devastating illness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge all private and public high schools, colleges, and universities in the State of Illinois to provide information to all students and parents about meningococcal disease, explaining the different disease serogroups, symptoms, risks, and treatments; and be it further

RESOLVED, That such information should 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 further

RESOLVED, That we urge each private and public high school, college, and university in the State to recommend that current and entering students receive meningococcal vaccines in accordance with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be made available to all private and public high schools, colleges, and universities in the State.