The percentage of Wisconsin schoolchildren not receiving state-mandated vaccinations due to personal beliefs has increased dramatically, now four times higher than it was 25 years ago. This surge in personal conviction waivers has contributed to a decline in overall immunization rates among children, coinciding with renewed concerns about measles outbreaks across the United States, which have already been linked to three fatalities.
In the 2023-24 school year, Wisconsin’s measles vaccination rate among kindergartners ranked third lowest nationally, trailing only Idaho and Alaska, while Montana did not report data. Wisconsin has a long history of immunization laws, being one of the first states to require vaccinations for schoolchildren back in 1882. Over the decades, vaccines have played a significant role in reducing child mortality rates, which dropped from 4.35% in the 1950s to just 0.77% in 2022, as reported by the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
For the upcoming 2024-25 school year, Wisconsin mandates seven specific immunizations for school entry, including the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, polio, and hepatitis B. Despite a high overall compliance rate of 89.2% for immunizations in the 2023-24 school year, this figure has fallen from 92.3% in 2017-18. To effectively shield the community from highly contagious diseases like measles, experts suggest that vaccination rates must exceed 95% to achieve herd immunity.
The increase in parents opting out of vaccinations can be seen in data showing that vaccination rates state-wide have fallen in nearly every quarter from 2020 through 2024, compared to averages from prior years. Notably, no county in Wisconsin has achieved an MMR vaccination rate above 85%, with some areas such as Vernon County reporting as low as 44% vaccination among two-year-olds.
Wisconsin’s vaccine exemption laws differ from those in many other states. Beyond medical and religious exemptions, Wisconsin offers a philosophical exemption that allows parents to declare personal belief objections to vaccinations. This type of exemption is available in only 15 states across the U.S. Currently, 6.1% of Wisconsin students are utilizing a waiver, with 5.2% doing so for personal conviction reasons—an increase from just 1.2% two decades ago.
Misinformation regarding vaccine safety has been cited by various health advocates, including Rep. Lisa Subeck, a Democrat from Madison who introduced legislation to eliminate the personal conviction waiver. Although the bill garnered support from various medical organizations, it ultimately did not advance, reflecting ongoing public divides over vaccination.
Organizations advocating for vaccination rights and public health are calling for improved messaging regarding the benefits and safety of vaccines, rather than relying on legislative changes alone. This public health challenge continues as Wisconsin has yet to experience a measles outbreak this year, providing an opportunity for increased awareness and preventive efforts related to vaccinations.
Engagement from the community is encouraged as organizations seek to understand public sentiment regarding immunizations, highlighting the importance of informed discussions surrounding vaccine safety and effectiveness.