Title: Recognizing Meningitis B Awareness Day.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Recognizes Meningitis B Awareness Day. (Meningococcal disease is more commonly referred to as bacterial meningitis and can cause an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.)

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 842 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 842

                Recognizing Meningitis B Awareness Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 24, 2018

  Mr. Paulsen (for himself and Mr. Bishop of Michigan) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                Recognizing Meningitis B Awareness Day.

Whereas it is the custom of the House of Representatives to increase awareness 
        of serious illnesses that affect the lives of United States citizens;
Whereas meningococcal disease, more commonly referred to as bacterial 
        meningitis, is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria 
        meningitidis;
Whereas meningococcal disease is uncommon; however, when it strikes, its flu-
        like symptoms make diagnosis difficult;
Whereas meningococcal disease can cause serious illness, such as infection of 
        the lining of the brain and spinal column (meningitis) or blood 
        infections (sepsis);
Whereas the disease strikes quickly and can lead to severe or permanent 
        disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, and limb 
        amputation, or even lead to death within 24 to 48 hours;
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;
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;
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;
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;
Whereas community settings in which large groups of people gather, like college 
        campuses, can increase the risk of the spread of meningococcal disease;
Whereas, because of the way meningitis is spread through close personal contact, 
        the social behavior of young adults ages 17 to 23 increases their risk 
        of contracting the disease;
Whereas students in dormitory settings and crowded events are particularly 
        vulnerable to meningococcal disease;
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;
Whereas despite the existence of a serogroup B vaccine, meningitis B has been 
        responsible for all United States college campus outbreaks since 2011, 
        with some cases resulting in death;
Whereas because the B strain of meningitis requires a new, separate vaccination, 
        students heading to college may mistakenly think that if they received 
        the MenACWY vaccine that they are protected against all strains and may 
        not realize they are not protected against the B strain;
Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Neisseria 
        meningitidis serogroup B accounts for approximately half of all 
        meningococcal cases among persons ages 17 to 23 years in the United 
        States;
Whereas vaccination for serogroups A, C, W, and Y is routinely recommended by 
        the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on 
        Immunization Practices (ACIP) 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;
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;
Whereas the Federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program 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 other State health plan coverage;
Whereas Kimberly Coffey was 17 and a high school senior on Long Island when she 
        died from meningitis B in 2012 (before meningitis B vaccines were 
        available in the United States);
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;
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;
Whereas June 15, 2018, marks the sixth anniversary of Kimberly Coffey's death;
Whereas Emily Stillman was a 19-year-old sophomore at Kalamazoo College in 
        Kalamazoo, Michigan, when she tragically contracted bacterial meningitis 
        (before meningitis B vaccines were available in the United States);
Whereas, on February 2, 2013, after just 36 hours in the hospital, Emily passed 
        away;
Whereas Emily's mother, Alicia, created the Emily Stillman Foundation in 2014 to 
        preserve the memory of Emily Nicole Stillman and to advocate for organ/
        tissue donation and for the increased availability of meningitis B 
        vaccines for children;
Whereas students, parents, educators, and health care providers need to know 
        about all strains of meningitis and how to protect against all strains; 
        and
Whereas April 24, 2018, should be considered National Meningitis B Awareness 
        Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes Meningitis B 
Awareness Day.
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