Jeri Brooks Greenwell, a parent who lost a son to meningococcal meningitis,  spoke in support of a bill that would require the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to adopt rules to mandate that students between ages 11 and 20 receive a meningococcal meningitis vaccine that largely prevents the disease.

There is already a state rule requiring the vaccine for college students. The measure’s sponsor, Rep. Patricia Hymanson, D-York, a neurologist who serves as co-chair of the Health and Human Services Committee states, “l hope we will require this protective, safe vaccine for our youth, it will prevent tragedy.”

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