The Capitol Report, produced by WisPolitics.com — a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics — provides a weekly analysis of issues being debated in Wisconsin state government. It is underwritten by the WNA and produced exclusively for its members. WisPolitics.com President Jeff Mayers is a former editor and reporter for the Associated Press and a former political writer for the Wisconsin State Journal.
By WisPolitics
Wisconsin’s average vaccination rate for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has declined by roughly 5 percentage points over the past eight years, new numbers show.
And few expect that trend to improve with vaccine skeptic — some say conspiracy theorist — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the federal agency that sets vaccine policy.
A Stanford University and NBC News study of county-level data shows the state’s MMR vaccination rate dropped to 84.2% in 2024 from 89.1% in 2016.
The news comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there have been 38 measles outbreaks nationwide this year — more than double the number in 2024. Wisconsin as of mid-September had 36 confirmed measles cases and two hospitalizations, all of which have happened since July, according to Department of Health Services data.
All of Wisconsin’s measles cases this year occurred in Oconto County, which has a vaccination rate of 87%, down from 88% in 2016, but still above the statewide average. Half of the cases occurred in people 5-17 years old.
Meanwhile, Dem Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order directing DHS to take any steps available to ensure Wisconsinites have access to vaccines.
The move came after the FDA updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance to limit the groups approved to get the updated shot to those 65 and older, as well as anyone at least 6 months old who has at least one underlying health condition that increases their risk of infection.
Critics say that will mean many Americans will be unable to get the vaccination unless they pay out of pocket, though Kennedy insists anyone who wants the shot will still be able to get it.
Following Evers’ directive, DHS issues a statewide order allowing most Wisconsinites to get the vaccine at a pharmacy without a prescription. Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek then issued a directive to health plans that they cover the cost without passing any of it onto their policyholders.
Still, the moves have their limits.
The bulletin Houdek issued, for example, applies to “all governmental self-funded and fully insured group health plans and individual health plans” under the agency’s purview. An OCI spokesperson said state health insurance regulations don’t generally apply to federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, or large-group employer-sponsored self-funded health benefits.
Meanwhile, governmental self-funded plans offered to municipal or school district employees are covered. And the agency recommended others to contact OCI if they have any concerns about a coverage denial or other issue with their insurer.
Kennedy’s vaccine advisers then took a series of votes on Sept. 19 declining to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone. Instead, they found people could make individual decisions. The action comes a day after the panel adopted new restrictions on a combination shot that protects against chickenpox, as well as measles, mumps and rubella.
Health experts accuse the panel of creating mistrust in vaccines that have long been proven safe and confusion over the COVID-19 shot.
All that controversy and debate likely will lead to even more erosion of vaccination rates in Wisconsin and elsewhere, experts say.
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The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics, and is distributed for publication by members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
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