Wisconsin Doctor Urges Vaccination Amid Rising Measles Cases

Dismissing vaccine benefits undermines public health, says family physician

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A family physician in rural Wisconsin is concerned about the declining vaccination rates, especially among children, and the one-sided messaging that questions the value of vaccines. The doctor emphasizes that vaccines prevent disease, save lives, and reduce suffering, and encourages people to review their vaccination status, ask questions, and seek credible information to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community.

Why it matters

Measles cases are rising in Wisconsin, including two reported in February with one hospitalization. Even with excellent medical care, about 2 out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will die. Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to preventing the spread of preventable diseases like measles.

The details

The doctor, Mary Landwehr, is a family physician in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She values thoughtful conversations with patients and parents about the benefits and risks of vaccines, and often finds common ground in a shared desire to protect the people they love and promote good health. However, she is concerned about increasingly one-sided national messaging, including statements from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that question or deny the benefits of vaccination rather than encouraging informed discussion.

  • In February 2026, two measles cases were reported in Wisconsin, with one hospitalization.

The players

Mary Landwehr

A family physician in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has made statements questioning the benefits of vaccination.

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What they’re saying

“Vaccination rates — especially among children — have declined over the past decade for many reasons. I value thoughtful conversations with patients and parents about the benefits and risks of vaccines. In honest, respectful dialogue, we often find common ground: a shared desire to protect the people we love and promote good health.”

— Mary Landwehr, Family Physician (jsonline.com)

“Vaccines prevent disease, save lives and reduce suffering. Schedules can be discussed and, in some cases, adjusted to address individual concerns and health beliefs, but dismissing their value outright undermines public health.”

— Mary Landwehr, Family Physician (jsonline.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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