Two Unvaccinated Pennsylvanians Die from Measles, First U.S. Fatalities in 2026
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed that two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County have died from measles, marking the first U.S. measles deaths this year amid a surge in cases nationwide.
Two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died after contracting measles, state health officials said on Tuesday. The deaths are the first measles-related fatalities reported in the United States this year and bring the national total to five over the past two years, surpassing the combined deaths recorded in the previous three decades.
State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed condolences, noting that measles had been largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades and that many people are unfamiliar with the disease’s severity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,777 measles cases in the United States as of Thursday, exceeding the total for 2025 and making 2026 the worst year for measles since 1991. Vaccination coverage has fallen below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks, prompting concerns about the country’s measles-free status.
Governor Josh Shapiro said he declined an offer of federal assistance, criticizing the current administration’s messaging on vaccines. > "I was very, very blunt with him," Shapiro said, adding that the administration’s rhetoric is having a negative impact on communities.
Federal health officials issued a statement extending condolences and emphasizing that the MMR vaccine provides the most effective protection against measles.
Public health experts highlighted that declining vaccination rates and growing exemptions are contributing to the resurgence. Dr. David Margolius, director of Cleveland’s health department, warned that prevention requires clear and consistent messaging before outbreaks occur.
Lancaster County, home to a large Amish population that often resists modern medical interventions, reported an 88% kindergarten measles-vaccination rate last school year. The state has administered about 35,000 measles vaccinations this year, up from the typical monthly pace of 25,000.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining high immunization coverage amid rising vaccine hesitancy.