Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says childhood vaccinations are important. With a measles outbreak in California as backdrop, many politicians are suggesting parents should have the right not to vaccinate their kids. Walker weighed in on the topic during a stop in central Wisconsin on Wednesday.
“I think they’re a key way to prevent serious health problems,” Walker said. “My family is vaccinated and has been since my kids were little.”
The Republican governor noted that Wisconsin law requires childhood vaccinations, with some narrowly defined exceptions. “The bottom line is, I hope that people will go out and make sure that they get their kids vaccinated, because there’s plenty of preventable diseases that a vaccination would help with,” he said. Walker and his wife Tonette have sent cards to Wisconsin parents, urging them to vaccinate their kids.
Wisconsin Republican Congressman Sean Duffy this week referred to state vaccination requirements as “oppressive.” Duffy said he vaccinates his seven kids “on most things.”