Wisconsin’s vaccination rates for kindergarteners last year were lower than other states, according to an October report from the CDC. This meant they had less protection against infections such as whooping cough, tetanus, polio, and measles.
“Our families and communities are vulnerable to diseases like measles,” said Stephanie Schauer, immunization program manager for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The report found that 92.7% of kindergartners nationwide had received the measles, mumps, rubella or MMR vaccine, and in Wisconsin, 84.8% had been vaccinated.
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Schauer said even a small percentage of unvaccinated children could be at increased risk.
“So this is the population of children attending kindergarten in Wisconsin,” she said. “Even if it’s just a small change, a lot of kids change. There are too many kids out there that we would rather not be protected.”
Overall, coverage of recommended childhood immunizations has decreased nationwide compared to last year. Schauer said the pandemic is one reason.
“We know that the effects of the pandemic are having a negative impact on childhood immunizations,” she said. “And we’re starting to see kids who were born just before (and) during the pandemic starting school.”
He said there could be many reasons for Wisconsin’s interest rate lag. First, states may aggregate vaccination rates differently. But factors such as declining trust in vaccines, misinformation and disinformation, and lack of access to clinics may also be contributing.
“The low vaccination rates are particularly concerning given that we have areas of the state with very low levels of protection from vaccine-preventable diseases,” Schauer said.
In September, the state health department reported a spike in whooping cough cases in Wisconsin and urged vaccinations. The number of reported infections was more than 10 times higher than in 2023.
Children can be vaccinated at a doctor, pharmacy, or pop-up clinic. Services like the Children’s Vaccine Program can help eligible children receive free or low-cost vaccinations.
“Payment issues should not be part of the decision whether to vaccinate a child,” Schauer said.
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