Bill > J01608

This resolution urges Governor Kathy Hochul to designate June 2026 as Meningitis B Awareness Month in New York State. Meningitis B, also known as meningococcal disease, is a serious infection caused by the bacterium *Neisseria meningitidis* that can lead to severe illness, permanent disabilities, or death, often progressing rapidly. While vaccines exist to protect against five common strains (A, B, C, W, and Y), protection against serogroup B requires a separate vaccine (MenB) in addition to the MenACWY vaccine, and young adults, particularly those on college campuses, are at increased risk due to close contact. The resolution highlights the importance of awareness and vaccination, referencing the efforts of the Kimberly Coffey Foundation, established in memory of a young woman who died from meningitis B, and noting that June 15, 2026, marks the fourteenth anniversary of her death, making June an opportune time for this awareness campaign.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/J1608