Pennsylvania reports first 2 measles deaths in the US this year, both
people unvaccinated
[August 26, 2026]
By JONATHAN POET and MIKE STOBBE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died
after being infected with measles, the first U.S. deaths this year
related to the contagious virus.
State health officials announced the deaths Tuesday. They did not reveal
any details about the people who died, other than that they lived in
Lancaster County, west of Philadelphia.
“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this
unimaginable loss,” said state Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen.
“Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more
than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t
fully understand the potential severity of the illness."
The U.S. has now seen five measles-associated deaths in the last two
years — more than the combined total of reported deaths over the
previous three decades — and is enduring its worst year for measles
since 1991.
With 2,777 cases as of Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, this year already has surpassed 2025's measles
count.
In November, international health officials will meet to determine if
the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. The U.S.
eliminated local measles spread in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination
rates, which have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage
needed to prevent outbreaks.
Governor suggests Trump administration could do more to promote
vaccines
The measles surge has coincided with moves by President Donald Trump's
administration to scale back childhood vaccinations, based on concerns —
unfounded, according to scientific studies — about vaccine safety.
Trump earlier this month signed an executive order calling for revamped
childhood vaccine recommendations. He also advocated separating the
measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three different shots, and
administering all childhood immunizations at separate appointments
whenever possible.
Doctors have raised concerns that Trump and U.S. Health Secretary Robert
F. Kennedy Jr. are stoking confusion and hesitancy.
In a media briefing Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with
Kennedy, who offered the assistance of federal health staffers. Shapiro
declined the offer, saying Pennsylvania's health department was able to
handle the current situation.
“I was very, very blunt with him," Shapiro said. "I made very clear that
his actions and the rhetoric that’s coming from this administration are
having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly
right here in Pennsylvania.”
He added: "There’s real-life consequences to scaring people and not
relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide
unbiased information to parents so that we can make reasonable decisions
for our kids."
Federal health officials did not comment on Shapiro's account, but they
issued a statement extending condolences to the families and affected
communities.
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Dr. Jessica Early holds a vial of the combination measles,
mumps and rubella vaccine at Prisma Health Pediatrics in Greer,
S.C., March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File)
 “The MMR vaccine provides the most
effective protection against measles and helps prevent its spread,”
the statement said, adding that federal health officials will
continue to support Pennsylvania’s response.
Vaccination rates are declining nationwide
Decades of widespread vaccinations turned measles cases and deaths
into a rarity, causing people to forget that the very contagious
virus can be deadly, said Dr. David Margolius, director of
Cleveland’s health department and a leader in a coalition of big
city health departments.
He said that some Cleveland residents have expressed irritation with
vaccine-promotion campaigns.
“They say, ‘Oh, that’s not a big deal. I mean, do people even die
from measles? And, you know, why do you care so much? Why do you
keep calling me about this?’” he recounted.
Margolius said the Trump administration has reacted to outbreaks
with offers of assistance.
“But the time to prevent measles is before the outbreaks happen," he
said. "And the way to do that is clear and consistent and very
visible messaging" about the importance of vaccinations.
The overall U.S. kindergarten vaccination rate inched down last year
and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high,
according to federal data posted last week.
Lancaster County is known as the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish
community, a religious group that is sometimes reluctant to embrace
modern medical interventions such as vaccines. About 88% of
kindergartners in the county were up to date on their measles
vaccines during the last school year, according to state data.
Pennsylvania has counted nearly 400 measles cases this year, state
officials said.
The state has been promoting measles vaccinations as cases have
risen, and about 35,000 people have been vaccinated, up from the
usual pace of about 25,000 per month, officials said.
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Stobbe reported from New York.
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