As Wisconsin families prepare for the new school year, health officials are warning that vaccination coverage is slipping at a time when measles cases are climbing nationwide. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported that only 66.9% of children who reached 24 months in 2025 had received the full routine vaccine series, down from 68.8% the year before. More concerning, the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine rate for two‑year‑olds fell below the 80% mark, far short of the roughly 95% level public‑health experts say is needed to keep measles from spreading.
Local impact of a national surge
In the United States, measles cases surpassed 2,700 this summer, the highest total in 35 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the majority of those cases to unvaccinated individuals. In Wisconsin, Clark and Vernon counties reported kindergarten MMR vaccination rates of just 44% and 50%, respectively, creating pockets where a single imported case could spark a local outbreak.
Why adults matter, too
Vaccination is not only a children’s issue. Immunity to several diseases wanes over time, and many adults remain behind on recommended shots such as flu, COVID‑19, Tdap, RSV, pneumococcal and hepatitis B. Staying current helps protect older adults and those with chronic health conditions from severe illness and hospitalization.
Guidance for families
Health professionals stress that families should rely on trusted physicians, nurses, pharmacists and local public‑health workers rather than misinformation circulating online. The Wisconsin Immunization Registry offers a convenient way to check each family member’s immunization record. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their health‑care providers which vaccines are appropriate for children, teens and adults.
State role amid federal changes
President Trump recently issued an executive order proposing changes to the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule, including splitting the combined MMR vaccine into separate visits. While the federal approach may evolve, states retain a critical role in safeguarding public health. Wisconsin leaders are urged to follow the evidence, listen to medical experts, and ensure that vaccination remains accessible and based on sound science.
Community benefit
Vaccines protect not only the individual but also vulnerable neighbors—infants, seniors, cancer patients and anyone with weakened immune systems. When a community achieves high immunization rates, it reduces the risk of outbreaks that can disrupt schools, strain health‑care resources and increase costs for everyone.
As the new school year begins, families should add checking immunization records to their back‑to‑school checklist, ensuring that both children and adults are protected. By doing so, Wisconsin can help keep its schools, workplaces and neighborhoods safe from preventable disease.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
