Wisconsin’s childhood vaccination rates are continuing to fall, according to new data released in March by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The 2025 Statewide Vaccination Rate Report shows that only about 7 out of every 10 children in the state (66.9 percent) are fully vaccinated by age two. That means nearly 3 in 10 young children are missing recommended vaccines that protect them from serious diseases.
This is a drop of almost 2% across Wisconsin compared to last year, and Green County’s rates fell even more, by 3%. Even small decreases in vaccination rates can raise the risk of outbreaks from diseases that vaccines can prevent.
Before the COVID‑19 pandemic, Green County consistently ranked among the top five counties in Wisconsin for keeping children up to date on their vaccines by age two. However, the most recent 2024 data shows the county has slipped to 16th place. This shift is concerning because many vaccine‑preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, spread quickly when vaccination rates fall. Looking more closely at vaccine coverage among Green County 2‑year‑olds, MMR rates have also declined: in 2025, 81.3% of 24‑month‑olds received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, down from 87.3% in 2024.
The 2025 DHS state vaccination rate report also shows notable decreases in vaccination rates among teens. Both HPV and Tdap vaccination rates declined this year, and these vaccines play an important role in preventing cancers, respiratory illnesses, and other serious infections. In Green County, HPV vaccination coverage among 13‑year‑olds dropped from 42.7% in 2023 to 34.8% in 2025. While Green County continues to have higher Tdap vaccination rates than the statewide average, the County’s Tdap vaccination rates have been slowly decreasing from 85.3% in 2023 to 83.5% in 2025.
There is some good news: meningococcal vaccination rates, which protect against meningitis, increased statewide. Adult vaccination rates stayed about the same, which shows that most adults are continuing to maintain their protection.
One of Green County Public Health’s responsibilities is preventing and controlling the spread of disease. Communicable diseases are reported to Green County Public Health through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS). When a case is reported, our public health team follows up with the individual, provides guidance on reducing spread, and identifies others who may have been exposed. This early intervention helps stop outbreaks before they grow. But when vaccination rates fall, the risk of widespread illness increases, making disease control more difficult and putting vulnerable residents at risk.
Families can stay on track by checking their child’s vaccination records in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry and talking with their health care provider about recommended vaccines. Green County Public Health also offers free vaccines for eligible children and adults. For more information about eligibility or to schedule an appointment, call Green County Public Health at (608) 328-9390.
— Ellie Lombardo is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at elombardo@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
