Rising vaccine exemption rate among Wisconsin students raises concern
DAVID WAHLBERG
Updated
Jayion Williams, 13, of Madison, gets a vaccine from nurse Karen Loughran at an event at the Alliant Energy Center sponsored by 100 Black Men and the Dane County Immunization Coalition. Other clinics will be held at various schools in the coming weeks. Jayion, an eighth-grader at Hamilton Middle School, got three immunizations: Tdap, meningitis and HPV.
A greater share of students has received required vaccines in Dane County than statewide, but the rate dipped last year and only 85% or fewer students are adequately immunized at nearly two dozen schools. That puts the facilities at risk for disease outbreaks, health officials say.
Dane County's school vaccination rate is higher than the state average. But low immunization rates and high rates of vaccine waivers in some schools increase the risk of disease outbreaks, health officials say. Fifteen doses of five vaccines are required to enter kindergarten.
Joshua Runk, left, and Erin Runk make pizza with their children Dax, 8, and Atley, 9, right, at their home in Mount Horeb. Dax and Atley, who haven't had any immunizations, have personal conviction waivers from vaccine requirements at the Mount Horeb School District. A bill before the state Legislature would remove that exemption.
Annette Sanchez, 14, gets a COVID-19 vaccination in 2021 from Monona Fire Department paramedic Trevor Regali. COVID-19 shots are not among the immunizations required for students, but health officials say those eligible should get the new booster when it is expected to become available in September.
•Several back-to-school vaccine clinics are scheduled in the Madison area in coming weeks, including on Sept. 11 at an office building at 818 W. Badger Road. For details on that and other clinics, go to publichealthmdc.com/backtoschool.
•The Vaccines for Children program provides free recommended vaccines for children on BadgerCare or with little or no insurance. For details, go to dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/vfc-parent.htm.
Joshua Runk, left, and Erin Runk make pizza with their children Dax, 8, and Atley, 9, right, at their home in Mount Horeb. Dax and Atley, who haven't had any immunizations, have personal conviction waivers from vaccine requirements at the Mount Horeb School District. A bill before the state Legislature would remove that exemption.
Jayion Williams, 13, of Madison, gets a vaccine from nurse Karen Loughran at an event at the Alliant Energy Center sponsored by 100 Black Men and the Dane County Immunization Coalition. Other clinics will be held at various schools in the coming weeks. Jayion, an eighth-grader at Hamilton Middle School, got three immunizations: Tdap, meningitis and HPV.
Annette Sanchez, 14, gets a COVID-19 vaccination in 2021 from Monona Fire Department paramedic Trevor Regali. COVID-19 shots are not among the immunizations required for students, but health officials say those eligible should get the new booster when it is expected to become available in September.
