Assembly Resolution No. 1403

BY: M. of A. Rules (Gunther)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
August 2018, as Adult Vaccine Preventable Disease
Awareness and Improvement Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2018, as Adult
Vaccine Preventable Disease Awareness and Improvement Month in the State
of New York; and

WHEREAS, Vaccines have aided in reducing the burden of widespread
and often fatal diseases, enabling individuals to lead longer and
healthier lives while reducing health care costs; and

WHEREAS, Although much attention has been paid to the importance of
childhood vaccinations, there is a general lack of awareness of adult
recommended vaccines among adults and a misperception that adult
immunizations are unnecessary for the healthy; and

WHEREAS, Adult Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs), including
diseases such as influenza and pneumonia, are a critical public health
issue in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Influenza and pneumonia represent the seventh leading cause
of death among U.S. adults aged 65 years or older; and

WHEREAS, As the population across the United States continues to
age, the impact of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases on adults will likely
increase; and

WHEREAS, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases can result in complications
for adults with chronic conditions, including long-term illness,
hospitalization, and death; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
currently recommends a variety of vaccines for adults aged 18 and older,
including some recommendations that are universal and others that are
targeted to individuals of a certain age, with specific risk factors, or
who may have missed certain childhood vaccines; and

WHEREAS, The CDC has consistently seen adult vaccination compliance
fall below targets, and aims to increase compliance for influenza and
pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination in adults as a part of its Healthy
People 2020 goals; and

WHEREAS, Increasing adult immunization requires a commitment from
health care providers and the Department of Health to recommend
appropriate immunizations to adult patients so that they understand the

importance of adult immunization, and to provide appropriate education
to providers to raise awareness about the importance of this effort; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim August 2018, as Adult
Vaccine Preventable Disease Awareness and Improvement Month 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.