MADISON, Wis. -- The Centers for Disease Control says meningococcal disease affects thousands each year, including the more commonly known meningitis, and the risk is slightly higher for students living in dorms.

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State Rep. Rob Kreibich is drafting legislation that would require students entering UW System housing to either be vaccinated or sign a waiver refusing the vaccination.

Some favor the idea, but others call it unnecessary.

Gail Bailey, whose son Eddy died of meningococcal disease last November, supports the bill.

"We're educated people, but we were uneducated about meningitis," she said. "The only way I feel I can honor Eddy's memory is to help other parents so that this doesn't happen to them."

Craig Roberts, an epidemiologist at the UW says they already inform parents about the disease when they're at orientation.

"We provide written materials to students in a mailing that goes out to them in the summer," Roberts said. "In addition, there's language that's put into residence halls handbook for every student who comes to the university and stays in the residence hall."

Roberts says the wording of Kreibich's bill is the same as that of other mandatory vaccinations and calls it unnecessary.

"It mandates something that is not required by public health recommendations," Roberts said. "There is no specific recommendation that everybody get this vaccine. It really is only for people who desire to reduce their risk."

Bailey says a simple handout is not adequate.

"It's your duty, in my mind to educate them and inform them much more so than in a handout in a packet -- in a five-minute minimizing lecture about this disease," she said.

Roberts says the vaccine is only 60 percent effective -- not a big enough benefit to have everyone get it.

But after losing her son, Bailey says any benefit is worth it.

"Aren't our kids worth that? They're worth it to me," she said.

Kreibich's office told News 3 they are still looking for co-sponsors for the bill.

It will be discussed in committee.