Two unvaccinated individuals in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles, marking the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. this year and the first in Pennsylvania in 35 years, state health officials confirmed on August 25, 2026.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 393 confirmed measles cases across 29 counties as of the announcement, with 86 new cases diagnosed in the past week. Seventy people in the state have been hospitalized due to measles complications. Both individuals who died were residents of Lancaster County, where the outbreak has been most severe.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen stated in a release: “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 MMR vaccine provides the best protection against measles, which is 97% effective after two doses.
Nationwide Measles Surge Continues
The U.S. has recorded 2,777 confirmed measles cases in 2026, the highest number since 1991, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This surpasses last year’s total of 2,289 cases, which was already the highest in over 30 years. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine—the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years—for optimal protection.
Nearly 20% of measles cases result in hospitalization, and the virus can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. The CDC notes that one to three deaths occur per 1,000 measles cases.
Vaccination Rates and Herd Immunity Concerns
Lancaster County’s measles vaccination rate for kindergarteners stands at 85%, below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity to prevent widespread outbreaks. The county’s rate has declined from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% in 2025, according to CDC data.
Nationally, 92.4% of kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles during the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.2% in 2019-20. Vaccine exemptions have risen, with 4.2% of kindergarteners (about 155,000 children) receiving at least one exemption—up from 3.6% the previous year.
Policy Responses and Public Health Debates
On August 8, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for fewer childhood vaccinations, including a recommendation to split the MMR vaccine into three separate shots. The order was supported by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously advocated for voluntary vaccination and criticized mandatory immunization policies.
Public health experts and pediatricians have criticized the executive order, warning it could undermine vaccine confidence and increase hesitancy at a time when outbreaks are rising. Kennedy has stated that measles has been “almost entirely confined to religious communities that do not want to receive vaccines” and that the U.S. has “done better than any country in the world in controlling it.”
Kennedy has also noted that medical records for measles-related deaths in 2025 showed that some individuals had underlying health issues, though he has encouraged vaccination. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the executive order.
Historical Context and Previous Outbreaks
Measles was largely eliminated in Pennsylvania for over 30 years before the current outbreak. The last measles-related deaths in the state occurred in 1991, and the last confirmed measles death in the U.S. was in 2025, when three individuals died—though health officials noted that some had pre-existing conditions that may have contributed to their deaths.
In 2025, Texas reported two unvaccinated children’s deaths during a measles outbreak that infected over 1,000 people, primarily children. The CDC has emphasized that 97% of measles cases in recent outbreaks have occurred in unvaccinated individuals.
Public Health Response and Recommendations
Health officials are urging immediate vaccination for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available, with the CDC confirming its 93% effectiveness after one dose and 97% after two doses.
Dr. Bogen reiterated that vaccination is the best protection for individuals and communities, particularly for immunocompromised individuals who cannot receive the vaccine. She expressed sympathy for the families of those who died, stating: “My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss.”