2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 123
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX AND REPRESENTATIVES TERRY LANDRY, DUSTIN
MILLER AND PIERRE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To designate June 11-15, 2018, as Meningitis B Awareness Week.
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, and can even lead to death within 24 to 48 hours; and
WHEREAS, although one in ten 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
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WHEREAS, because of the way meningitis is spread, through close personal contact,
and that the social behavior of young adults ages 17-22 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, there have been several
recent outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease on college campuses throughout the
United States, 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 A, C, W, and Y
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
17-22 years in the United States; 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 healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:170 requires each person entering any school in Louisiana for
the first time and each child entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against certain
vaccine-preventable diseases including meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y);
and
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:170.2 requires each school board to provide information to
parents and students relative to the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the
availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunization against the disease;
and
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WHEREAS, since 2006, R.S. 17:170.1 has required persons in Louisiana to provide
satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease (serogroups
A, C, W, and Y) as a condition of registration in courses at a public or nonpublic
postsecondary education institution and requires those institutions to provide detailed
information on the risks associated with the disease; and
WHEREAS, meningitis vaccines are covered by public and private insurance plans,
and individuals are encouraged to contact their health insurance provider to determine
coverage of MenACWY and MenB vaccines; and
WHEREAS, students, parents, educators, and healthcare providers need to know
about all strains of meningitis and how to protect against them; and
WHEREAS, June is a time when students are preparing to go to college and can
discuss how to become fully vaccinated with their healthcare provider.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
designate June 11-15, 2018 as Meningitis B Awareness Week.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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