PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
(WTAQ-WLUK) –Wisconsin families are behind other states in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, leaving kids and communities more vulnerable to outbreaks, according to a new report.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and compared the vaccination rates of Wisconsin kindergarteners for the 2023-2024 school year to the same data from other states.
This data revealed Wisconsin children are behind on important childhood vaccines, such as polio, pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus (DTaP) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). For example, only 84.8% of Wisconsin kindergarteners were up to date on their MMR vaccine, compared to 92.7% of children nationally.
Officials say this is why preventable diseases like measles and pertussis have increased in Wisconsin and across the U.S. in recent years.
“Our families and our communities are more vulnerable,” said Dr. Stephanie Schauer, Wisconsin Immunization Program manager. “These low vaccination rates are worrisome, especially given that there are pockets of the state with very low rates that are not protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Schauer said the COVID-19 pandemic contributed greatly to increased vaccine hesitancy among parents and families who are choosing not to vaccinate their children.
I think the impact of the pandemic, we’ve known has had an adverse effect on childhood immunizations. We’re starting to see the children that were born just before or during the pandemic start to come into schools,” she said. “We also know that immunization rates can be affected by mis[information] and disinformation… Just overall trust and confidence in trust in vaccines, we know, has eroded a bit.
Schauer said there are a few other factors that likely contributed to the drop in Wisconsin children’s vaccination rates, in addition to vaccine hesitancy.
“There’s no shortage of vaccines, but we know families can be short on time, may not have a clinic close by, or worry about the cost, and that can make it difficult to get their kids in to be vaccinated,” she said.
“Parents should talk to their pediatrician, community clinic, or local health department if they have questions about how to best protect their child from illnesses. They can answer questions, help them find vaccination clinics near them, and help them access health care coverage their family may need,” Schauer continued.
Vaccines are available at doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies and health departments throughout Wisconsin. 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.
Use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to see if you and/or your loved ones are up-to-date on vaccines and find out which shots they may still need. You can also check vaccine statuses by contacting your doctor’s office or local health department.
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