October 20, 2024 | 4pm
Eric Bauer, Local News
Wisconsin is becoming more vulnerable to an outbreak after data shows child vaccination rates have declined.
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that children in Wisconsin are not only behind the polio, pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DTaP) vaccine, but also the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It means.
The report shows that only 84.8 percent of Wisconsin kindergartners are up to date on the MMR vaccine, compared to the national average of 92.7 percent.
This data shows that Wisconsin is now more vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks. Additionally, Wisconsin is already feeling the effects of measles and pertussis, with case numbers up significantly from this time last year.
“While most Wisconsinites protect their children with vaccines, we are not providing the necessary levels of protection to protect our state from preventable outbreaks,” said Paula Tran, state health officer and director of public health management. “It’s below that.”
She continued: “Vaccines have proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways each of us can prevent serious illness and death from illness.” .
