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Measles Outbreak in Amish Country Forces Some to Rethink Vaccines
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- Measles outbreaks in 2026 have affected 45 states, with Pennsylvania and Ohio seeing significant cases, particularly among Amish communities.
- The Amish, often perceived as anti-vaccine, actually have more nuanced reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including lack of firsthand experience with measles and underestimating its dangers.
- A recent outbreak sickened six of seven children and their mother in an Amish family, while the vaccinated father and one daughter remained healthy.
- Despite their traditional lifestyle, many Amish are not opposed to vaccination but were unaware of the severity of measles before the outbreak.
- State officials report five deaths in Pennsylvania linked to the measles outbreak, highlighting the serious consequences of declining vaccination rates.
