Sawyer County health officials flag drop in measles coverage, win RICE grant for school vaccinations

Julie, a Sawyer County Public Health representative, told the Health and Human Services Board on March 10 that measles vaccination coverage in the county is below the statewide rate and is the lowest in more than a decade for that age group. "Of our 24‑year‑olds in Sawyer County, 71.5 percent have had one or more measles vaccinations," she said, noting that statewide the comparable figure is 79.8 percent.

Julie said the completed-series rate in the county is also low: 54.3 percent of 24‑year‑olds in Sawyer County have finished the child‑recommended series, compared with 66.9 percent across the state. "Seventy‑one point five percent rate for our 24‑year‑olds here is the lowest we've had in 12 years," she added.

Why it matters: Public‑health officials said lower vaccination coverage reduces herd immunity and increases the county’s risk of an outbreak for a highly contagious disease. Julie said nurses will follow up with families, the department recently mailed information to residents and the awarded RICE grant will fund in‑school outreach and routine immunizations by parental consent to reduce access barriers.

County staff reviewed how the program will work in schools. Julie noted that, under the grant, nurses can provide vaccinations in schools when parents sign a consent form, similar to past mass‑clinic operations for influenza. She said the grant is the county’s first RICE award this year and that clearing and cleaning immunization data and direct outreach are priorities to identify children who are not up to date.

Officials said qualifying families can receive vaccines at no cost through existing vaccine‑for‑children programs when underinsured, uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid, or Native American/Alaska Native. Julie said those details will be highlighted in outreach messaging.

Next steps: Public Health staff will continue data‑cleaning and follow up calls; school‑based vaccination by consent will be offered under the RICE grant and the board will be kept informed of program rollout and uptake. The board did not take formal action on the program during the meeting.