Florida Senate - 2014                            (NP)    SR 1720
       
       
        
       By Senator Legg
       
       
       
       
       
       17-03306-14                                           20141720__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 9, 2014, as
    3         “Immunization and Bacterial Meningitis Awareness Day”
    4         in Florida.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, bacterial meningitis is a deadly, debilitating
    7  disease that affects infants, children, teenagers, young adults,
    8  and persons with compromised immune systems, and
    9         WHEREAS, meningococcal disease is the most common cause of
   10  bacterial meningitis, and pneumococcal and Hib meningitis are
   11  two forms of the disease, which is an inflammation of the
   12  meninges, the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal
   13  cord, and
   14         WHEREAS, bacterial meningitis can strike an otherwise
   15  healthy person without warning and can kill or totally
   16  debilitate a healthy person within hours, and
   17         WHEREAS, one in ten persons who contract bacterial
   18  meningitis dies, and, of those who survive, one in five persons
   19  suffers from long-term complications, which may include loss of
   20  limbs, vision, and hearing; learning and mental disabilities;
   21  paralysis; seizures; and severe organ damage, and
   22         WHEREAS, eradication of all vaccine-preventable diseases,
   23  especially bacterial meningitis, is an achievable, pressing
   24  public health objective, with the vaccination of infants,
   25  children, teenagers, and adults a key step in prevention, and
   26         WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the work of the
   27  Department of Health, the Meningitis Angels, the Pinellas
   28  Immunization Team for Community Health (PITCH), and the
   29  producers and crew of the film Invisible Threat, all of whom
   30  have contributed to and raised public awareness about bacterial
   31  meningitis and the importance of vaccinations, while urging
   32  citizens to support the search for a cure and to assist
   33  individuals and families who deal with bacterial meningitis
   34  daily, NOW, THEREFORE,
   35  
   36  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   37  
   38         That April 9, 2014, is recognized as “Immunization and
   39  Bacterial Meningitis Awareness Day” in Florida to honor those
   40  who have died and those who continue to struggle with the
   41  effects of bacterial meningitis; to advance the common goals of
   42  vaccination and immunization education; and to encourage all
   43  Floridians to work together to eradicate bacterial meningitis
   44  and other vaccine-preventable diseases.