Measles Deaths Reported in Pennsylvania
Two individuals who were not vaccinated have died from measles in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as confirmed by state health officials on Tuesday.
During a media briefing, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, refrained from providing further details about the deceased, citing patient confidentiality.
This marks the first instance of measles fatalities in the U.S. this year and the first in Pennsylvania in 35 years.
Lancaster County has experienced a significant portion of the state’s measles outbreak, with 393 confirmed cases to date; notably, 86 of those cases emerged just last week.
At this point, 70 individuals in Pennsylvania have been hospitalized due to complications arising from measles.
“These tragic deaths emphasize that measles is by no means a benign disease,” remarked Dr. Jeffrey Martin, a physician at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, during the briefing, which took place at Lancaster General Health’s Women & Babies Hospital.
He added, “Having this press conference at our Women and Babies Hospital is quite fitting. Pregnant women and children are particularly at risk for measles if they aren’t vaccinated.”
When asked whether the deceased included a pregnant woman or an infant, officials declined to comment.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing recommended vaccines for children. This decision, supported by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced sharp backlash from pediatricians and public health advocates.
Kennedy is known for his anti-vaccine stance and had previously spoken at an event in Lancaster County where he claimed, without scientific backing, that vaccines are harmful.
In the media briefing, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shared that Kennedy had reached out to offer resources for the outbreak response, which Shapiro declined. He stated, “I was very clear with him that his actions and the rhetoric from this administration negatively impact communities across America, especially here in Pennsylvania. There are real consequences to spreading fear and not trusting qualified medical professionals to provide parents with accurate information.”
A spokesperson from HHS did not provide immediate comments about these measles-related deaths.
The news comes as an increasing number of parents choose to forgo vaccinations for their children. Data for the 2025-26 school year reveals that 4.2% of kindergartners—approximately 155,000 children—had at least one vaccine exemption, a rise from 3.6% the year before.
In Lancaster County, the vaccination rate for the MMR vaccine has also seen a decline, falling from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% in 2025.
According to the CDC, there have been 2,777 measles cases reported across the nation this year, the highest count in 35 years. By August 20, around 193 individuals—about 7% of reported cases—had been hospitalized, with a majority being unvaccinated.
Since May, more than 900 measles cases have been recorded in the U.S., with Pennsylvania accounting for a significant portion of the recent cases.
Last year, three deaths were attributed to measles: one adult in New Mexico and two young girls in Texas.
The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, administered in two doses typically at ages 1 and 5, provides 97% protection against measles, generally for a lifetime. Children as young as 6 months can receive an additional early dose during outbreaks.
“When enough individuals receive the vaccine, community immunity builds, safeguarding the most vulnerable, like babies too young for vaccination,” emphasized Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a statement. He urged parents and caregivers to consult their pediatricians and ensure their children are current on the MMR vaccine.
