Wisconsin DHS announces new vaccine requirements for children

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY/WMTV) - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced new vaccine requirements for child care centers and schools.

Meningitis vaccines are now required. Also, chickenpox infections must be documented by a medical professional.

There are no changes to existing exemptions for religious or medical reasons.

These requirements were originally put in place in February 2023, but a legislative committee put them on hold a month later. The suspension expired when the legislative session ended last month.

The DHS says the requirements are in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

According to the DHS, vaccination rates for the current school year show 89.2% of school-age students meet the minimum immunization requirements. Only 1.9% of students are behind on their vaccinations, almost one percentage point lower than the previous school year.

For more information on these changes can be found in the DHS news release.