Senate Resolution No. 1608
BY: Senator RIVERA
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 2026, as Meningitis B Awareness Month in the
State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to increase
awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of our citizens;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Meningitis B Awareness
in the State of New York; 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 five common serogroups of meningococcal
meningitis in the United States, which are serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y,
and multiple vaccines exist to help protect against all five serogroups;
and
WHEREAS, The single best way to help prevent all common serogroups
of meningococcal disease is to be vaccinated with both a MenACWY vaccine
and a separate MenB vaccine or with a MenABCWY vaccine, if indicated;
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 and high schools, can increase the risk of the
spread of meningococcal disease; and
WHEREAS, Because of the way meningitis is spread, through close
personal contact, the social behavior of young adults ages 16-23
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 protection against serogroup B requires a separate
vaccination, students heading to college may mistakenly think that if
they received the MenACWY vaccine that they are fully protected against
all serogroups and may not realize they are not protected against
serogroup B; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B accounts for 70% of all
meningococcal meningitis cases among persons aged 16-23 years in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Vaccination for serogroups A, C, W and Y is routinely
recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics; and
WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics 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 through shared clinical
decision making; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommendations, Chapter 401 of the Laws of 2015 in New York State
requires that as of September 1, 2016, children in grades 7 and 12 be
immunized against meningococcal disease serogroups 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, Kimberly Coffey was 17 and a high school senior on Long
Island, who had been vaccinated with the MenACWY vaccine, when she died
from meningitis B in 2012, two years before meningitis B vaccines were
available in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Kimberly's mother, Patti Wukovits, R.N., created the
Kimberly Coffey Foundation and today, this vital organization remains
true to its mission in providing education to the public and health care
professionals about meningococcal disease and advocating for two types
of meningococcal vaccination; and
WHEREAS, The Kimberly Coffey Foundation's goal is to ensure that no
other family will endure the loss of a child or have a loved one
experience the devastating effects of meningococcal disease; and
WHEREAS, June 15, 2026, marks the fourteenth anniversary of Kimberly
Coffey's death; and
WHEREAS, Students, parents, educators and health care providers need
to know about all serogroups of meningococcal meningitis and how to
protect against all serogroups; 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Meningitis B
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Patti Wukovits, R.N., Executive Director of the Kimberly
Coffey Foundation.
