How hospitals, clinics in Pennsylvania are responding to the measles outbreak

Key Points:

• Pennsylvania is experiencing one of its worst measles outbreaks in recent years, with 693 cases and 133 hospitalizations recorded in 2026, primarily centered in Lancaster County, which has reported 296 cases.
• At least four measles-related deaths have been confirmed in Pennsylvania, marking the highest number in the U.S. since 1992, with many cases likely underreported due to limited testing.
• Most hospitalized children with measles are unvaccinated and come from communities with low vaccination rates, prompting increased efforts by hospitals and public health officials to promote MMR vaccination.
• Vaccination rates have risen recently, with over 6,700 MMR doses administered by the state health department in 2026, including a significant surge in August correlating with the outbreak spike.
• Health facilities have implemented more aggressive screening for measles symptoms and are conducting outreach efforts, including at-home vaccinations and public education campaigns, to raise awareness and increase vaccine uptake in affected communities.