Two unvaccinated people die of measles in Pennsylvania
Cases in the US have hit the highest point since the virus was eliminated, as vaccination rates decline.
Measles has claimed the lives of two unvaccinated individuals in Pennsylvania, according to health officials.
This year, Pennsylvania has recorded 393 cases of the highly transmissible virus, contributing to a nationwide surge that marks the highest infection rate in 35 years across the U.S.
Last year, a measles outbreak in Texas, which primarily affected children and infected over 1,000 individuals, resulted in the deaths of two unvaccinated children.
In Lancaster County, where the recent fatalities occurred, only 85% of kindergarten-aged students are vaccinated against measles. This figure falls significantly short of the 95% vaccination rate required for herd immunity, which helps to curb the spread of the disease and safeguard immunocompromised individuals.
"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," stated Pennsylvania Secretary of Health 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."
Bogen emphasized that the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers the most effective protection against both illness and death. The health department did not release any further details regarding the identities of the deceased.
As of just seven months into 2026, the U.S. has already confirmed 2,777 cases of measles, surpassing last year's total of 2,289.
This increase in cases coincides with a recent rise in vaccine hesitancy across the U.S., leading to decreased immunization rates. The U.S. recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for children between the ages of one and six, which is 97% effective in preventing the illness.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order advocating for fewer childhood vaccinations and suggesting the MMR vaccine be administered as three separate shots. Public health experts are concerned that this order could create confusion about an already safe and effective vaccine and lead to increased costs.
The executive order followed a year of efforts by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to revise U.S. vaccine policies, including the childhood vaccination schedule. Many of these proposed changes were blocked by a federal judge earlier this year.
Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has presented inconsistent messages regarding the MMR vaccine, at times endorsing it and at other times sharing unsubstantiated claims about its safety.
The U.S. is currently at risk of losing its measles elimination status, a determination that will be made by a panel in November. Canada lost its elimination status last year.