Two people in Pennsylvania have died from measles

Key Points:

• Two unvaccinated individuals have died from measles in Pennsylvania, marking the first US measles deaths in 2026 and the state's first in 35 years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
• Pennsylvania has reported 393 measles cases across 28 counties in 2026, with about half in Lancaster County, where the deaths occurred; approximately 20% of cases have required hospitalization.
• Measles cases in the US have surged, with over 2,700 cases recorded this year, surpassing levels not seen since 1991 and threatening the country's measles elimination status declared in 2000.
• State and health officials emphasize the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective, and urge early or catch-up vaccinations, especially as none of the confirmed cases were fully vaccinated individuals.
• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized misinformation about vaccines, particularly from US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., linking it to declining vaccination rates and increased vulnerability to preventable diseases.