Measles outbreak in Pennsylvania prompts increased vaccine uptake among Amish and Mennonite communities

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the largest Amish population in the United States resides, has become the focal point of the country's most severe measles outbreak in 35 years, with more than 1,350 cases statewide and over a third occurring in the county. Health officials say low vaccination rates among the Plain communities, combined with a broader decline in immunization coverage, created conditions for the virus to spread.

Dr. Diego Hijano of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital emphasized the interconnectedness of the community, stating, "We are all interconnected." Union Community Care, a nonprofit operating clinics in Lancaster and a mobile unit serving Amish and Mennonite patients, reported administering about 450 measles shots through targeted clinics. Chief medical officer Dr. Anne-Marie Derrico said, "There’s no way to imagine that this is going to be an isolated community."

The outreach includes offering the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to infants earlier than the standard schedule. Some Plain families, such as Lauren and Mason Spence, have begun vaccinating their children amid concerns about rapid transmission. Others, like Amish farmer Ephraim Zook, remain opposed, citing a belief that measles is a natural illness.

Experts note that vaccine hesitancy in the region is more cultural than ideological. Former Parochial Medical Center administrator Allen Hoover explained, "The overwhelming reason had nothing to do with being against vaccinations. It was simply, ‘Well, we never did before, and we came through all right.’" He added that building trust can take decades.

Statewide, kindergarten MMR coverage fell to 92.4% for the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.2% in 2019-20, while Lancaster County’s rate stands at 88%, lower in private and religious schools. Public health officials warn that declining rates erode herd immunity and could lead to further spread as winter indoor gatherings increase.

Local officials, including Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder, are urging residents to view vaccination as safe and effective. Dr. D. Holmes Morton of the Central Pennsylvania Clinic reported growing attendance at vaccine clinics, and Dr. Hijano concluded, "Getting the shot is an act of love to your community. You will get protected yourself. But in truth, you are actually protecting everyone around you."