On Feb. 12, 2026, the University of Wisconsin–Madison notified students that it will require disclosure of vaccination or immunity status for several diseases, including measles. The announcement follows a confirmed measles case in an on-campus student reported in early February; that student visited multiple on- and off-campus locations while infectious, prompting outreach to roughly 4,000 people who may have been exposed. The new rule does not force vaccination: students must either provide proof of immunity or complete a form disclosing they are not vaccinated, and failure to comply can block course registration. The change was communicated by university email and first reported by the student newspaper, the Daily Cardinal.
Key Takeaways
- UW–Madison announced on Feb. 12, 2026 that students must now disclose immunization status for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, varicella, meningococcal (ACWY and B) and hepatitis B.
- The policy is a disclosure requirement, not a vaccination mandate; noncompliant students may be prevented from registering for classes.
- The rule was prompted by an early-February confirmed measles case linked to a student who visited several locations while contagious; approximately 4,000 people were notified of possible exposure.
- The announcement came amid a U.S. measles surge not seen in decades; three measles cases have been reported in Wisconsin so far in 2026.
- No campus in the UW System currently requires measles vaccination; by contrast, the majority of Big Ten universities have vaccine requirements for students.
- UW–Madison considered a measles vaccine requirement in 2019 but did not adopt one at that time.
- The MMR vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing measles infection and reduces the severity of illness in breakthrough cases.
Background
Measles is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in settings where people gather closely, such as college campuses. The United States has seen a notable resurgence in measles cases in 2025–2026, reaching levels not observed in decades, driven by pockets of undervaccination and increased international travel. Public-health authorities have emphasized rapid identification, exposure notification and vaccination as primary tools to contain outbreaks.
UW–Madison historically allowed students to choose whether to report vaccination records to the university. In 2019 the university considered making measles vaccination mandatory but ultimately left the policy unchanged, citing a range of administrative and legal considerations. Many large public universities, including most Big Ten schools, require certain immunizations for enrollment to reduce outbreak risk in residential and classroom settings.
Main Event
University administrators informed students on Feb. 12, 2026 that disclosure of immunization or immunity status will be required for registration. The policy lists five vaccine areas: measles-mumps-rubella, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, varicella, meningococcal ACWY and B, and hepatitis B. Students can comply by submitting official vaccination records or other evidence of immunity, or by completing a university form stating they are not vaccinated.
The measles case that prompted the change was reported in early February. University contact-tracing efforts identified multiple campus and community locations visited by the infected student during the contagious period; campus officials then notified about 4,000 people considered potential contacts. That outreach triggered a review of current reporting rules and the decision to require disclosure going forward.
The policy explicitly does not require students to provide a reason if they choose to disclose that they are not vaccinated. Administrators said the requirement is aimed at providing public-health teams with the information needed to target testing, post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccination clinics quickly, while balancing privacy protections under existing rules.
Analysis & Implications
Requiring disclosure — short of a mandate — is a middle-ground measure intended to improve outbreak response without confronting legal or political hurdles tied to compulsory vaccination. Access to timely immunization data allows health services to identify susceptible populations, offer MMR doses or immune globulin when appropriate, and prioritize notifications for high-risk contacts in congregate living and classroom settings.
Operationally, enforcing a disclosure rule will test university systems for record collection, verification and privacy safeguards. Blocking registration for noncompliance gives the policy teeth, but could create administrative burdens and student pushback if verification processes are slow or unclear. The university will need clear timelines, accessible submission channels and robust data security measures to avoid disruption at registration peaks.
Legally and politically, disclosure requirements generally face fewer challenges than vaccination mandates, but they still touch on privacy and accommodation issues. Public-health officials will be watching whether the policy reduces transmission on campus compared with institutions that require vaccination outright. If outbreaks continue, pressure could mount to move from disclosure to mandatory vaccination, as many peer institutions have done.
Comparison & Data
| Policy | Requirement | Measles cases in WI (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| UW–Madison | Vaccination status disclosure required (not a vaccine mandate) | 3 |
| Other UW System campuses | No system-wide measles vaccine mandate | — |
| Majority of Big Ten universities | Most require measles vaccination for students | — |
The table places UW–Madison’s new disclosure rule alongside the broader UW System posture and the common practice among Big Ten peers. With three confirmed Wisconsin measles cases in 2026 and a national uptick in infections, universities are reassessing how to gather immunization data to respond faster to exposures. The MMR vaccine’s ~97% effectiveness remains a key data point for outbreak planning, informing both pre-exposure vaccination campaigns and post-exposure interventions.
Reactions & Quotes
Students must either document immunity or complete a disclosure form to remain eligible to register for classes.
UW–Madison policy email (official)
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is about 97% effective and reduces illness severity when breakthrough infections occur.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public health agency)
As case counts rise nationally, faster access to immunization data can shorten the time between exposure identification and targeted prevention.
Public health expert (paraphrased)
Unconfirmed
- The precise list of on- and off-campus locations visited by the infected student has not been publicly released and remains undisclosed in university notices.
- The reported “about 4,000” potential contacts reflects university outreach figures; exact counts by exposure risk category have not been published.
- It is not publicly confirmed whether the new disclosure policy will be applied to non-degree, continuing-education or visitor populations on campus.
Bottom Line
UW–Madison’s decision to require students to disclose vaccination or immunity status marks a significant shift in how the university will manage infectious-disease risk. The measure prioritizes rapid identification of susceptible individuals and rapid response options, without imposing a direct vaccination requirement.
How effectively the policy reduces transmission will depend on implementation details: how records are collected and verified, how privacy is protected, and whether disclosure leads to higher uptake of vaccination when clinics and resources are offered. With measles cases rising nationally and three confirmed in Wisconsin, campus public-health officials will be watching outcomes closely and may need to consider stronger mandates if outbreaks persist.