Wisconsin Childhood Vaccination Rates Decline in 2025

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Published March 9th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reported a decline in childhood vaccination rates for 2025, with only 66.9% of children vaccinated by 24 months, a nearly 2% decrease from the previous year. The DHS is working with partners to address barriers to vaccination and encourages residents to check their status and consult healthcare providers.

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What changed

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has released its 2025 annual vaccination rate data, indicating a continued decline in childhood vaccination rates. Specifically, only 66.9% of children in Wisconsin received recommended vaccinations by 24 months of age, representing a nearly 2% decrease from 2024. Minor decreases were also noted in adolescent vaccines like HPV and Tdap, though meningococcal vaccine rates increased, and adult vaccination rates remained steady.

This decline serves as an alert to potential risks of preventable disease outbreaks. The DHS, in collaboration with health systems, clinics, pharmacies, and public health agencies, is focused on expanding partnerships and supporting local needs to overcome barriers such as access to care and busy schedules. Residents are encouraged to utilize the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to check vaccine status and consult with healthcare providers. Programs like Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults are available for free or low-cost vaccines.

What to do next

Review current childhood and adolescent vaccination rates against state data.
Assess internal processes for identifying and addressing vaccination access barriers for patients.
Promote available low-cost or free vaccination programs to patients.

Source document (simplified)

News Releases

For Immediate Release March 9, 2026 Contact DHS Media, 608-266-1683 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has released its annual vaccination rates among children, adolescents, and adults for 2025. The data show Wisconsin's childhood vaccination rates continued to decrease last year. While nearly 7 of every 10 children (66.9%) had the recommended vaccinations at age 24 months, nearly 3 of every 10 did not. This is a decline of almost 2% from 2024.

"In public health, we use data like this as an alert system. Today that alert system is sending a clear signal that the health and well-being of Wisconsin kids and communities are at risk," said Paula Tran, state health officer and Division of Public Health administrator. "Vaccination rates aren't just numbers on a chart, they represent real people—children, families, and neighbors. Even small declines in vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable diseases spreading and outbreaks occurring."

Alongside the decline in childhood vaccination rates, the 2025 data also show very minor decreases in adolescent vaccines such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines. At the same time, the vaccination rates to protect against meningococcal disease (meningitis) for adolescents increased, and rates across all adult vaccinations stayed steady.

"Vaccines prepare our immune systems to recognize and respond to serious diseases, and they also protect entire communities," said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. "When everyone can access the recommended vaccinations on time, it can stop vaccine preventable diseases from spreading."

As part of a statewide network of partners, including health systems, clinics, pharmacies, and public health agencies, DHS is working to expand partnerships and support local needs.

"Families have told us that they are concerned about access to health care, busy schedules, and the many other pressures they face that make it feel difficult to get their kids to checkups," said Stephanie Schauer, manager of the DHS' Wisconsin Immunization Program. "Public health and health care providers across the state are here to help families break down these barriers to keep families safe from vaccine preventable diseases."

Wisconsinites are encouraged to use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to check their and their child's vaccine status and to talk to a trusted health care provider about recommended vaccines. Families can access free or low-cost vaccines through programs like Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults. Learn more about vaccines on the DHS Get the Facts About Vaccines webpage.