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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Vaccinations play an important role in preventing |
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the contraction and spread of meningococcal disease; more than |
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1,000 such cases occur in the United States each year, and of those |
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persons infected, 10 to 15 percent will die, while another 10 to 20 |
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percent will suffer serious complications, including brain or |
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kidney damage, loss of limbs, and nervous system problems; and |
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WHEREAS, There are many different strains, or serogroups, of |
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meningococcal disease, of which B, C, and Y are the most commonly |
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seen in the United States, and vaccines can help to provide |
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protection against all three; additionally, the Centers for Disease |
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Control and Prevention recommends vaccination against selected |
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serogroups; and |
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WHEREAS, Meningococcal disease, which is spread from person |
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to person during close or lengthy contact, most commonly affects |
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individuals from ages 16 to 23; because of low vaccination rates |
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among young people, several outbreaks of meningitis B have occurred |
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on college campuses around the country in recent years; the CDC |
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Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that young |
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adults from ages 16 to 23 consult with a health care professional |
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about being immunized against serogroup B; and |
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WHEREAS, Although meningococcal disease is extremely |
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dangerous, if not fatal, it can be prevented through proper |
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vaccinations, and a greater awareness of this issue would be |
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beneficial to the health and well-being of many Texans; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby recognize the importance of vaccinations in preventing |
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meningococcal disease and encourage all Texans to learn more about |
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this vital issue. |