New York J 1608: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Meningitis B Awareness Month in the State of New York

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J01608 Summary:

BILL NOJ01608 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORRIVERA

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J01608 Actions:

BILL NOJ01608 

&nbsp

02/18/2026REFERRED TO FINANCE

02/25/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

02/25/2026ADOPTED

Go to topJ01608 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ01608 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ01608 Text:

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