Senate Resolution No. 1417

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 24-30, 2017, as World Immunization Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to promote the
health and welfare of all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of modern
civilization, preventing the spread of life-threatening diseases and the
deaths of more than two million people each year according to the World
Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, The discovery of vaccines for polio and smallpox changed
the course of world history and allowed for the eradication of diseases
long thought to be unavoidable and uncontrollable; and

WHEREAS, Immunization protects against diseases that are
historically some of the most virulent killers of children under five
years old, including pneumonia and rotavirus diarrhea; and

WHEREAS, Vaccines also protect children, adolescents, and adults
against the flu, meningitis, cervical cancer caused by human papilloma
virus, liver cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis,
rubella, tetanus, and other harmful diseases; and

WHEREAS, According to the World Health Organization, up to 1.5
million children around the world still die each year from diseases
which could have been prevented with a simple vaccine; and

WHEREAS, There has been a recent outbreak of measles and whooping
cough in different parts of the United States, including New York, in
part due to misinformation regarding the safety and effectiveness of the
vaccinations that prevent these diseases; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate should use every measure at its
disposal to promote the health of our children and the use of vaccines
to accomplish this crucial public health goal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 24-30, 2017, as
World Immunization Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.