Two Unvaccinated People Die from Measles in Pennsylvania Outbreak

Two unvaccinated people in Pennsylvania have died from measles, marking the state's first deaths from the disease in 35 years, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed on August 25, 2026.

Both individuals were residents of Lancaster County, where the majority of the state's 393 confirmed measles cases this year have occurred across 28 counties.

Measles, a highly contagious virus, has seen a resurgence in the U.S. with 2,777 cases reported nationwide so far in 2026, the highest number in 35 years.

"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen.

She emphasized the public's unfamiliarity with measles due to its elimination in the state for over three decades and stressed the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.

"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," Dr. Bogen said.

The MMR vaccine, administered in two doses typically between ages 1 and 6, is about 97% effective at preventing measles.

Health officials reported that 70 people in Pennsylvania have been hospitalized due to measles complications this year, and 86 new cases were diagnosed in the week leading up to August 25.

Vaccination rates in Lancaster County have declined from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% in 2025, falling short of the 95% needed for herd immunity, which protects vulnerable populations.

Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, called the deaths "entirely preventable."

Last year, the U.S. recorded its first measles deaths in decades, including two unvaccinated children in Texas.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, which provide lifelong protection for most individuals.

Recent policy changes, including an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to reduce childhood vaccinations, have drawn concern from public health experts about potential impacts on vaccine uptake and public confusion.