Pro-science parents and nurses- your support this week is critical! The New York State meningococcal
bill S4324a/A791c is now on Governor Andrew Cuomo's desk for his consideration.This is the
final step and the Governor will likely make his decision this week.
The NYS
Meningococcal Immunization Bill would require all seventh and twelfth grade
students to be immunized with the current meningococcal vaccine.
JUSTIFICATION: According to the CDC, roughly 1,000 - 1,200 people contract meningococcal disease each year in the United States. Between ten and fifteen percent of these cases are fatal. Eleven to nineteen percent of those who survive will suffer from permanent hearing loss,developmental delays, loss of limbs, or other serious conditions. This bill would require meningococcal vaccinations for students entering the seventh and twelfth grades. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides advice and guidance to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends a single dose of vaccine be administered at age 11 or 12, and a booster at age 16. Currently, more than 20 states require meningococcal vaccines.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2014: S.7348 Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None noted. Health plans in the state of New York are required to cover preventive and primary care services, including necessary immunizations. Additionally, the Vaccines for Children (VFC)program is a federally funded program that provides ACIP recommended vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.
Supporters of this bill are asking everyone to please call, write an email and fax letters in support of the bill today.
Phone Calls:
The Governor's office can be reached at 1-518-474-8390. Out-of-state residents are allowed to call to voice their support and NYS residents please be sure to provide your zip code.
Emails:
Emails
should be directed to: Alphonso David, Counsel to the Governor c/o
Katherine Santandrea, Executive Assistant to Alphonso David
Please
include in the subject line of e-mails: Support for NY Meningococcal
Immunization Bill (S.4324-A/ A.791-C)
Suggestion of some sample wording in email:
Dear Mr. Alphonso David:Emails can also be sent to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo via his website contact page:
Please help support The New York State meningococcal bill S4324c/A791a. New York State needs this very important bill to be signed into law so that not one more person will contract or die unnecessarily from meningococcal disease – a vaccine preventable disease! This bill will, no doubt, save hundreds of lives and save hundreds from the devastating side effects of the disease, such as limb amputations and neurologic deficits. Meningococcal disease can kill an otherwise healthy person within 24 hours!
This bill targets vaccination of the ages with the highest rates of meningococcal disease, specifically preteen, teen, and young adults. I believe it should be mandated for this high risk group. It is the most effective way to avert a catastrophic disease in young people who usually contract the disease in a school setting.
I urge you to please pass this bill into law.
http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php%20
You can also mail him directly at gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us
Postal Service:
Please write a letter to the governor (you can use the above template but please include your own thoughts) asking him to support (S.4324-A/ A.791-C)
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Fax:
FAX your letter: 518-4741513
There is
some false misinformation being circulated in opposition of this bill. Below are the common misconceptions and rebuttals.
1 FALSE STATEMENT: “There have
been no deaths from meningococcal meningitis in the age group targeted by this
bill in New York in the past five years.”
FACT: As one example, a
17-year-old high school senior died from meningococcal disease in the bill’s
targeted age group within the past five years (2012) in New York State. www.kimberlycoffeyfoundation.org
FALSE STATEMENT:
“One can reasonably expect 4,000 serious
injuries and 12 deaths every year from annually vaccinating 400,000 New York
students to prevent a handful of meningococcal meningitis cases.”
FACT: During 2005-2011, an
estimated 800-1,200 cases of meningococcal disease occurred annually in the
United States. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/mening.html#
FALSE
STATEMENT: The bill “also includes a mandate for vaccines for the B-strain of
meningococcal meningitis, even though there are no vaccines for meningitis B
licensed for use in the United States.”
FACT: Serogroup B vaccines are licensed
in the United States as of 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/vaccine-info.html
Because serogroup B vaccines were given a permissive category B
recommendation by ACIP in June 2015, the proposed bill does not, at this time,
include vaccines for serogroup B meningococcal disease. The bill is for
protection with the current ACIP recommended meningococcal vaccines which
protect against serogroups A,C,W & Y.
Please share this message with friends and family and please post to social media.
For additional information please contact:
Patti Wukovits, R.N., Nurses Who Vaccinate Meningitis Advocacy Director
kimberlycoffeyfoundation@gmail.com
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| Albany, New York |
Resources:
-MAYO Clinic- Meningitis
MedlinePlus- Meningitis
