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SJR 78 - Enrolled - PDF
SJR78
191944-2
By Senator Brewbaker
RFD: Rules
First Read: 22-FEB-18
SJR78
SJR78
ENROLLED, SJR78,
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE
AWARENESS AND PREVENTION.
WHEREAS, meningococcal disease is any infection
caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides, or
meningococcus; one in 10 people are carriers of this bacteria
with no signs or symptoms of disease; 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, in the United States, there are
approximately 1,000 to 1,200 cases of meningococcal disease
each year; and
WHEREAS, ten 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 system; 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 disease; and
SJR78
WHEREAS, there are different strains or serogroups
of Neisseria meningitides, with serogroups B, C, and Y
accounting for most meningococcal diseases in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, vaccines are available to prevent
meningococcal disease, and there are different vaccines that
provide coverage against certain specific serogroups of the
disease; and
WHEREAS, while there are vaccines that help provide
protection against all three serogroups commonly seen in the
United States, only the 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
meningitides B and are aware that a vaccine is available to
prevent disease resulting from this serogroup; now therefore,
SJR78
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we recognize the importance of
meningococcal disease awareness and prevention.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we take all reasonable
steps to urge all colleges and universities in Alabama to
educate students on the benefits and risks of meningococcal
immunization in accordance with the latest recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SJR78
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
SJR78
Senate 01-MAR-18
I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution
originated in and was adopted by the Senate.
Patrick Harris,
Secretary.
House of Representatives
Adopted: 08-MAR-18
By: Senator Brewbaker