While a majority of children across the United States are getting basic vaccinations, there are areas of concern where vaccination numbers fall below the national average.

When that happens, communities deal with outbreaks of preventable diseases, such as measles.

The CDC reports that as of October 24, 2024, there were 271 measles cases reported by 32 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Now, Wisconsin Health Officials are sounding the alarm about new vaccination numbers reported in the state.

Wisconsin Vaccination Numbers A Cause For Concern

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Wisconsin children are behind other states in getting vaccines, which leaves children and their communities vulnerable to outbreaks.

Using data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the CDC compared the vaccination rates of kindergarteners for the 2023-2024 school year to data from other states and found Wisconsin children are behind on important childhood vaccines including:

  • Polio
  • Pertussis
  • Diphtheria and Tetanus (DTaP)
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
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Most alarming, the report shows only 84.8% of Wisconsin kindergarteners were up to date on their MMR vaccine, while nationally 92.7% of children have received the MMR vaccine. That decline has led to diseases like measles and pertussis increasing across the U.S. in recent years.

The Mission To Get More Wisconsin Kids Vaccinated

State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator Paula Tran recognizes that most people in Wisconsin are protecting their children with vaccines, but the concern is that the state is below where it needs to be to protect itself from preventable outbreaks.

Tran adds that "vaccines are proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways each of us can prevent serious illness and death due to diseases. When the majority of people are vaccinated, it is much harder for that disease to spread in a household, a classroom, or across a community."

Dr. Stephanie Schauer, Wisconsin Immunization Program Manager, believes many factors prevent kids from getting vaccinated, such as busy lifestyles, access to a clinic, cost, concerns about vaccine safety, etc.

She urges parents to "talk to their pediatrician, community clinic, or local health department if they have questions about how to best protect their child from illnesses."

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It's important to note that there is no shortage of vaccines. They are available statewide at doctor's offices, clinics, pharmacies, and health departments.

Communities and residents who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance may not cover vaccines, can access them through grant programs and the Vaccines for Children or Vaccines for Adults programs.

Complete information about the recommended vaccines for children and teens can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.

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