A RESOLUTION strongly encouraging all Kentuckians to be vaccinated for preventable illnesses, including measles and meningitis, to protect their health and the health of their families and communities.

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A RESOLUTION strongly encouraging all Kentuckians to be vaccinated for 1
preventable illnesses, including measles and meningitis, to protect their health and the 2
health of their families and communities. 3
WHEREAS, the contributions of Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner to the discovery 4
of the principles of vaccinology are among the most consequential health findings in 5
human history; and 6
WHEREAS, a vaccine made possible the eradication of smallpox, saving millions 7
of lives; and 8
WHEREAS, vaccines have dramatically reduced the spread of debilitating and 9
potentially life-threatening diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, and 10
rubella; and 11
WHEREAS, vaccines h ave prevented the spread of infectious and potentially fatal 12
diseases, including chickenpox, shingles, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, 13
meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, pertussis, and meningitis; and 14
WHEREAS, vaccines can prevent certain cervical, head, and neck malignancies; 15
and 16
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the 17
United States there have been 16 new outbreaks of the measles in 2026, with over 2,000 18
confirmed cases, and there were 48 outbreaks reported in 2025; and 19
WHEREAS, up to 40% of people who get measles will have complications, 20
including ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Measles may cause inflammation of 21
the brain (encephalitis) in 1 of every 1,000 infections, and more rarely, blindness; and 22
WHEREAS, about 1 to 3 children of every 1,000 infected with measles die from 23
respiratory and neurologic complications; and 24
WHEREAS, meningitis is a devastating disease that can be deadly and often results 25
in serious long -term health issues such as brain damage, deafness, loss of limb(s), or 26
nervous system problems; and 27
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WHEREAS, about 1 in 6 people who have bacterial meningitis die and 1 in 5 have 1
severe complications; and 2
WHEREAS, vaccines are the most effective way to deliver long -lasting protection 3
from meningitis; and 4
WHEREAS, vaccines are continuously monitored for safety even after approval by 5
the United States Food and Drug Administration; and 6
WHEREAS, scientifically sound education and outreach campaigns about the 7
importance of vaccination and immunization are fundamental for a well -informed public; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, communities with low vaccination rates compromise the healt h and 10
livelihood of infants, young children, seniors, individuals with immunodeficiency 11
disorders, and individuals with weakened or compromised immune systems; 12
NOW, THEREFORE, 13
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 14
Kentucky: 15
Section 1. The Senate hereby strongly encourages all Kentuckians to be 16
vaccinated for preventable illnesses including measles and meningitis, to protect their 17
health and the health of their families and communities. 18