Measles cases grow among pregnant women in Pennsylvania: What to know about risks

Key Points:

• Measles cases in Pennsylvania have exceeded 1,500 in 2026, with 97 cases confirmed among pregnant women, marking the highest number in decades and raising significant health concerns for both mothers and babies.
• Measles infection during pregnancy poses serious risks including pneumonia, pregnancy loss, premature delivery, low birth weight, and the possibility of congenital measles, which can cause severe complications or death in newborns.
• Congenital measles, though historically rare due to widespread childhood immunity, is becoming more notable as more adults lack immunity from childhood infection or vaccination, leading to increased vulnerability in pregnant women.
• The CDC advises that pregnant women should not receive the MMR vaccine but can be treated with immunoglobulin antibodies to reduce infection risk or severity; newborns from infected mothers may also receive immunoglobulin.
• Health officials emphasize preconception vaccine counseling and vaccination of family members around pregnant women to create a protective environment and reduce the risk of measles transmission.