Wisconsin has become vulnerable to outbreaks after data shows child vaccination rates have fallen.
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states Wisconsin children are behind on polio, pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DTaP) as well as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.
This report shows that only 84.8 percent of Wisconsin’s kindergarteners are up to date on their MMR vaccine compared to a national average of 92.7 percent.
As this data suggests, Wisconsin is now more vulnerable to outbreaks. Furthermore, Wisconsin has already felt the effects of measles and pertussis with cases up substantially from this time last year.
State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator Paula Tran has said, “While most Wisconsinites are protecting their children with vaccines, we are below where we need to be to protect our state against preventable outbreaks.”
She continued, saying, “Vaccines are proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways each of us can prevent serious illness and death due to diseases.”
