This message is being sent to immunization coalitions, immunization stakeholders, local public health department staff, local public health officers, Tribal health directors, and key DHS staff. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has published several dashboards regarding flu and COVID vaccination rates in Wisconsin. DHS also released reports on Influenza Vaccination Rates Among People with Asthma and the influenza vaccination in Wisconsin 2022–-2023 End of Season Report. Together, the reports and data dashboards provide a look at previous and current flu and COVID-19 vaccine rates statewide and highlight communities and areas of the state more vulnerable to the seasonal flu by comparing vaccination rates. 

COVID-19 vaccine data summary 

As of November 16, 2023, a total of 528,785 Wisconsinites have received a COVID-19 vaccination for the current season. The statewide data including rates by county, age, sex, race, and ethnicity will be updated weekly on the COVID-19 vaccine dashboard page.  

The impact of the COIVD-19 pandemic on routine vaccination rates dashboard shows fewer children got routine vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to vaccine rates from 2017–2019. The dashboard also shows that in 2023 many childhood vaccination rates are still not at pre-pandemic levels. The data on the dashboard will be updated quarterly.

Flu vaccine data summary 

As of November 16, 2023, a total of 1,436,961 Wisconsinites have received an influenza vaccination for the current season. This statewide data, including rates by county, age, sex, race, and ethnicity, will be updated weekly on the DHS flu vaccine data dashboard throughout the flu season, which varies in duration, but typically spans the fall and winter. 

The report Influenza Vaccination Rates Among People with Asthma shows flu vaccination rates among people with asthma on Medicaid were higher than Wisconsin’s general population. However, both populations had decreased vaccination rates in the 2021–2022 flu season compared to the previous year. This data shows that the rate of flu vaccination within this population remained 10% lower among ages 18–34 years compared to other age groups. 

DHS data in the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Wisconsin 2022–2023 report indicates that since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccination rates have dropped across Wisconsin. Children ages 17 and younger saw the largest drop in vaccination. Vaccination rates dropped 10% between the 20–21 flu season and the 22–23 flu season.  Data also show a drop in flu vaccines in some rural areas of the state during that same time, and consistently show that Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic people in Wisconsin have lower vaccination rates compared to the rest of the state’s population. This trend reflects past and current social and economic barriers for these communities and provides evidence for the continued need to focus on increasing awareness and reducing barriers to getting vaccines. 

Annual flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. 

Find available flu and COVID-19 vaccines near you at Vaccines.gov. 

Flu and COVID-19 are not the only respiratory viruses that circulate during respiratory season. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also a major cause of respiratory illness. Learn more about RSV.