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Ending the "Personal Conviction" Vaccine Waiver
There is a plan at the Wisconsin Capitol that would end the state’s “personal conviction” vaccine waiver.
State Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, is pushing two plans that she says would boost vaccination levels in the state. One, would end “the personal conviction waiver” for opting out of vaccinations.
“Wisconsin has one of the broadest vaccination exemption allowances in the nation, being one of the few states that allow waivers for medical, religious, and personal reasons,” Subeck wrote to lawmakers. “The personal conviction clause is the only exemption addressed in this legislation.”
Her other plan would allow younger teenagers to decide about vaccines on their own.
“[This legislation] allows minors aged 16 years or older to make their own vaccination choices. There is evidence that when given complete information and control over their preventive medical care, teenagers will choose to receive vaccinations previously withheld by their families,” she added.
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services shows that a growing number of families are opting out of some of the vaccines currently required for kids to go to school.
DHS reported that the number of students with a “waiver for one or more immunizations rose from 3.4% in the 2004–05 school year to 6.7% in 2024–25.”
“Vaccines are critical to the health of our children and communities and ultimately save lives,” Subeck said. “Wisconsin’s continued decline in immunization rates is alarming, leaving Wisconsinites vulnerable to dangerous yet preventable contagious diseases.”
She introduced her plans this week, and is looking for co-sponsors. It will be next spring before the legislation could see a vote.
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