From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— Limited access to routine checkups, vaccine misinformation and disinformation are some of the drivers behind Wisconsin’s declining measles vaccination rate, a top state health official says.
The state’s average vaccination rate has declined by roughly 5 percentage points over the past eight years, according to a Stanford University and NBC News study of county-level data. Wisconsin has also seen a stark uptick in measles cases, with 36 cases so far this year, up from one case the same time last year.
Wisconsin’s measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rate dropped to 84.2% in 2024 from 89.1% in 206, according to the study.
“The reasons for these declines are complex and include more limited access to routine health care during the pandemic, the rise of misinformation and disinformation about vaccines which may lead people to refuse or delay vaccines, and barriers for families to access vaccines,” Stephanie Schauer, Wisconsin Immunization Program manager, said. “This follows national trends of parents questioning or delaying vaccines more.”
So far this year all of Wisconsin’s confirmed measles cases have been documented in Oconto County, according to Department of Health Services data.
Schauer said DHS’ investigation into the outbreak is ongoing and so far has not identified specific public settings to avoid, “however, unless people are protected, measles could spread easily to other communities, which is why making sure you have received the vaccine is so important.”
“Any time vaccination rates decline, or children do not get necessary vaccines on time, it is a concern for public health,” she said. “Declining vaccination rates means more communities are vulnerable to potentially severe diseases that can easily be prevented with vaccination. ”
Still, Oconto’s vaccination rate declined even less than the statewide average, dropping to 87% from 88%, and was notably higher than the five counties with the lowest rates. The five lowest rates ranged from 73% to 52%.
See previous measles outbreak coverage in last Wednesday’s Health Care Report.
See the DHS measles dashboard.
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