Milwaukee Health Department to host walk-in childhood immunization clinics in October

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee Health Department is expanding access to childhood vaccinations this fall, with walk-in clinic options.

It comes with concern of low immunization rates in Wisconsin as the fall school semester is in full swing.

Along with their regularly available clinics, the City of Milwaukee will host additional childhood immunization clinics the first two weekends of October, at the southside and northside health centers.

• Friday, Oct. 3 – Northwest Health Center, 3–6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 4 – Southside Health Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 10 – Southside Health Center, 3–6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 11 – Northwest Health Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

"These are illnesses that can spread quickly in unvaccinated populations," said Dr. Mike Totoraitis, the city's commissioner of health. "We're really working here, through these fall immunization clinics, to help close those gaps."

Last year, 44% of MPS kindergarteners did not meet the minimum required doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to MHD.

"That leaves our kids open to diseases that we know how to prevent," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Measles outbreaks are happening across the country, including in Wisconsin. An outbreak in Oconto County has infected 23 people, according to the CDC.

"If your child is unvaccinated and is exposed to measles, they will be out of school for up to 21 days," Dr. Totoraitis said. "That's a very long time to disrupt a child's learning."

The Milwaukee Health Department administered 600 vaccine doses at walk-in clinics last year. This year, they're scaling up to meet demand.

"We wanted to make sure that we had both evening and weekend hours to help decrease any barriers to parents," Totoraitis explained.

Milwaukee Public Schools starts their exclusionary process on Oct. 13. That means unvaccinated students without a waiver could be removed from school.

"We don't want to do that," said Dr. Brenda Cassellius, the MPS superintendent. "Our kiddos need to be in school to have strong academic achievement."

Right now, MPS is notifying families who still need immunizations on record.

"Currently for K through 5, we plan on sending about 12,000 letters home to families," Cassellius explained.

The city's fall immunization clinics are specifically meant for children who are underinsured or on Medicaid.

Families who are insured are encouraged to visit their pediatrician to get up to date.

"Think of these as not only safe ways to protect your children, but to help ensure that they stay in the classroom," Totoraitis said.

In the 2024-2025 school year:

• 53.6% of MPS kindergartners met the minimum state requirements for school-required vaccines
• 63.2% of all MPS students met the minimum state requirements for school-required vaccines
• 61.1% of all Milwaukee kindergartners met the minimum state requirements for school-required vaccines
• 70.5% of all Milwaukee school-aged kids (all grades) met the minimum state requirements for school-required vaccines