As outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses continue to make headlines, ThedaCare pediatricians encourage all families to follow the immunization recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The recommended childhood vaccines are available at ThedaCare pediatrics and family medicine clinics.
“The childhood vaccines we recommend are designed to teach the immune system to recognize and resist serious diseases,” says Dr. Annika Ridlehoover, a Pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Neenah. “The pacing and combination of vaccines are based on when a child’s immune system is ready to learn and respond best.”
Each April, we mark World Immunization Week to highlight the importance of vaccines. In honor of the observance, we’re sharing key statistics and reminders about the importance of staying up to date on childhood vaccines.
Wisconsin Stats
National and statewide upticks in measles and pertussis (whooping cough) have underscored the impacts of the decrease in the number of children receiving on-time vaccines. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently released its 2025 childhood immunization statistics.
Nearly seven of every 10 children (66.9%) had the recommended vaccinations at age 24 months. That means around three of every 10 did not. This is a decline of almost 2% from 2024, according to Wisconsin DHS.
In the counties ThedaCare serves, Marquette and Green Lake counties had the lowest childhood vaccination rates, with rates of 49% and 50.2%, respectively.
Measles
Measles is an extremely contagious disease whose complications can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), deafness, intellectual disability and even death. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent measles.
In Wisconsin, the 2025 MMR vaccination rate for children at age 24 months was 79.8%, down from 88.2% in 2013. That’s a decrease of 8.4%.
As of late March 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,575 confirmed measles cases in the United States to date for the year. That number includes 16 measles outbreaks. Wisconsin was among the states to have reported measles cases.
In 2025, the United States saw 2,258 confirmed measles cases, according to the CDC. That’s the highest number of cases since 1991.
Pertussis
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a serious respiratory illness caused by bacteria that attach to the lining of the lungs. It can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that often makes it hard to breathe.
Pertussis can affect people of all ages. However, it can be serious, and even deadly, for babies less than 1 year old.
Two pertussis vaccines are available, depending on age: either the DTaP or Tdap vaccine. In Wisconsin, the 2025 DTaP vaccination rate for children at 24 months of age was 70.2%, down from 77.3% in 2013. That’s a decrease of 7.1%.
Between 2024 and 2025, Wisconsin saw more than 3,700 cases of pertussis.
All Recommended Childhood Vaccines
The AAP formerly partnered with the CDC to create a unified set of vaccine recommendations. According to the organization, recent changes to the CDC immunization schedule depart from longstanding medical evidence.
By contrast, the AAP childhood and adolescent immunization schedules continue to recommend immunizations based on the specific disease risks and health care delivery in the United States.
In early 2026, the AAP released a list of infectious diseases that childhood vaccines can prevent.
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies before their first birthday. It is a common virus that affects the lungs and airways. Immunizations for pregnant people and newborns provide antibodies that offer necessary protection.
- Influenza, or the flu vaccine, is recommended for everyone starting at 6 months old. Historically, over 80% of influenza-associated pediatric deaths have occurred in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children. As of late March 2026, the United States had seen 123 pediatric influenza deaths in the 2025-26 flu season.
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The hepatitis B vaccine has been tested extensively for safety and efficacy. When administered within 24 hours of birth, it is highly effective in preventing newborn infection.
- Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a high fever, rash, cough and red eyes. It can lead to life-threatening complications, like brain inflammation and pneumonia.
- Rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), meningitis, HPV and hepatitis A are among other diseases that can be prevented by following the AAP recommendations for vaccines.
Easy to Access and Track
Almost half of Wisconsin children and teens are eligible for free vaccines at pediatric, family medicine or public health clinics, as well as certain retail pharmacies. To find a provider of free vaccines, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for Vaccines for Children (VFC).
The Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) tracks a person’s vaccine status and is easily accessible online. Reference the no-cost, easy-to-access WIR to discover which vaccines you and your children have — or may need — to help serious preventable diseases from spreading. ThedaCare patients also can find their vaccine records within MyThedaCare. From the main menu, select Immunizations.
Dr. Ridlehoover stresses the importance of sticking to the childhood vaccine schedule and reminds families they all play a role in keeping communities safe and healthy.
“Even small declines in vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable diseases spreading and outbreaks occurring,” Dr. Ridlehoover says. “At ThedaCare, we are here to answer any questions you may have. We want to protect communities and help kids live their healthiest, best life.”
ThedaCare makes it easy to get needed vaccines. Ask at any pediatric or family medicine visit or see all your options.
