Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that will now require meningitis vaccines for students entering sixth and 11th grades. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley discussed the new law with the Buffalo Public School District's medical director.
"This is actually fantastic news and it is in keeping with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics," said Dr. Steven Lana in a WBFO News interview.
Lana is a physician at Delaware Pediatrics in Buffalo and serves as the city school district's medical director.
Lana said his practice already recommends the meningitis vaccine for two age groups, 11 and 16-year-olds.
"I'm delighted that it is no longer an option, but a requirement," said Lana. "This particular form of meningitis, which is a bacterial form of meningitis -- Meningococcal meningitis -- particularly aggressive and very deadly. In fact, children who contract this disease are often sick for only about a day or so. There's still a very high mortality rate, there is still a very high morbidly rate, meaning children that survive, may survive with amputations or brain disease or hearing loss."
As Lana serves as medical director for the Buffalo Public School District's, he tells WBFO News he is awaiting a directive from the state health department on how to proceed for the city school district.
"In terms of its implementation and enforcement at the school level, that remains to be seen quite honestly," stated Lana.
The bill was approved by the state Senate and Assembly back in June and signed October 26, 2015 by the Governor.
Dr. Lana noted meningitis leads to about ten deaths per year for a preventable disease.
