Overview
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Tuesday that two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County died of measles, marking the state's first measles deaths in 35 years and the first U.S. measles fatalities reported in 2026.
- Pennsylvania has recorded 393 confirmed cases this year across multiple counties and about 70 people have been hospitalized, with Lancaster County accounting for a large share of infections.
- The surge is part of a nationwide resurgence that has produced roughly 2,700 to 2,800 cases in 2026, and CDC data show the vast majority of infections are in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
- State and local officials have stepped up pop-up vaccination clinics and outreach and stress that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective and remain the best protection against severe disease.
- Public health leaders say recent federal changes to vaccine guidance and skeptical rhetoric from senior officials have increased confusion and hesitancy, complicating efforts to contain outbreaks and raising the risk of losing elimination status.