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Winnebago County health staff report rising respiratory illness and lower-than-target childhood vaccination rates
Summary
Surveillance staff told the board influenza B and RSV activity are increasing and that local childhood vaccination rates lag the 95% target: Winnebago's 24-month vaccine series at ~69% and MMR by 24 months at ~81.1%; staff also said 90 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were pending as of Feb. 28 in statewide reporting.
Public-health surveillance staff reported a rise in respiratory-illness indicators and declining vaccine-coverage trends.
Surveillance presenter (speaker 4) said influenza B is increasing and RSV activity is high. "Respiratory illness and influenza is overall increasing at 18.9 percent across the state," the presenter said, and noted RSV activity was high at 9.4% and COVID-19 activity at about 5.5%.
On immunizations, the presenter said the 2025 data show Wisconsin's child vaccine series by 24 months at 66.9% and Winnebago County at about 69%. The county's MMR by 24 months was reported at 81.1%. The presenter noted that scheduled vaccination milestones (two MMR doses by school age) are frequently achieved later and that surveillance counts may understate true incidence.
The presenter also cited a statewide figure appearing in recent Department of Health Services reporting: "we have reported, 90 influenza-associated pediatric deaths that are currently pending February 28," and cautioned that pending reports may underestimate actual deaths because not all children are tested.
Board members asked about local clinic and school-based vaccination opportunities and whether the department can support outreach; staff noted partnerships with student-health centers and planned on-site vaccination clinics in some settings.
