11/09/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Wisconsin's K-12 student immunization rate rose to 87.4% in the 2025-26 school year, but that's still far below the level needed to protect communities from disease outbreaks.  The rate remains near a record low despite the one-year increase, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum using state Department of Health Services data.  The decline comes as measles outbreaks spread across the nation and Wisconsin. As of Nov. 3, DHS reported 431 measles cases in the state, with 99.3% of those affected unvaccinated and 57.3% children.  Small and rural districts tend to report lower vaccination rates. Very small districts with fewer than 500 students reported 12.9% of students not fully vaccinated in 2026, while small districts with 500 to 1,000 students reported 12.6%. Rural districts overall averaged 12.7% not meeting requirements.