II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3791 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 3, 2006 Mrs. Hutchison (for herself, Ms. Collins, and Ms. Snowe) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To require the provision of information to parents and adults concerning bacterial meningitis and the availability of a vaccination with respect to such disease.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Meningitis Immunization Awareness Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Approximately 3,000 cases of meningococcal disease occur each year in the United States. Symptoms are easily mistaken for the flu. Because it is one of the few illnesses that can kill an otherwise healthy person within 24 hours of the first appearance of symptoms, there is a significant impact on communities with bacterial meningitis cases or outbreaks. (2)Teens are at particular risk for meningococcal disease. Almost 25 percent adolescents develop bacterial meningitis will die and another 20 percent will lose arms or legs, suffer brain damage, or become deaf. (3)A new one-shot vaccination that offers protection against most forms of bacterial meningitis may prevent up to 83 percent of cases in the United States. (4)Crowded conditions, such as those existing at sleep away camps or college dormitories, increase the risk of contracting meningococcal disease. Members of the Armed Forces are routinely vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine recommend vaccinations for teens and for college students before they return to school. (5)As of July 2006, approximately 30 States have laws requiring that information about meningococcal disease and the availability of an effective vaccine be provided to students and parents of students at the time a student enrolls in college. A few States also require camps, middle schools, or high schools to provide parental notification of the availability of a vaccine against bacterial meningitis.

3.

Provision of information

(a)

Development of information

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop and make available to entities described in subsection (b) information concerning bacterial meningitis and the availability and effectiveness of vaccinations for individuals 2 years of age or older with respect to such disease. (b)

Entities

An entity is described in this subsection if the entity— (1)is— (A)a child care center or provider that is licensed or certified under an appropriate State law; (B)an elementary or secondary school (as such terms are defined in the Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); (C)a college or university; (D)a boarding school or summer camp; (E)a prison or other detention facility; or (F)any other entity that provides for the housing of individuals in a dorm-like setting; or (2)any other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.