Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Push US Total Highest in Decades
Measles has caused four confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania this year.
The two newest victims had not been vaccinated.
Nearly 700 people in the state have caught measles, and more than 130 have gone to the hospital.
Measles can cause serious problems such as pneumonia, brain swelling and death.
The United States has now reached its highest measles death total in decades.
Doctors and health officials say the two-dose MMR vaccine is the best protection.
Some national leaders have questioned or criticized parts of the vaccination approach.
Other officials strongly support the vaccine and say it is the most effective tool against measles.
Two additional measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania brought the state’s total this year to four and the US total to its highest level in decades.
Both people were unvaccinated and lived in Jefferson and Mifflin counties, respectively, according to state health officials.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak has grown to nearly 700 cases, with more than 130 hospitalizations, nearly all involving unvaccinated people.
The United States recorded three measles deaths in 2025, while 166 suspected deaths occurred during the 1989–1991 epidemic.
Health officials urged people to receive the two-dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccine amid disputes over vaccination policy and messaging.
- Who
- Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents, along with state and federal health officials, are at the center of the report.
- What
- Two additional measles-associated deaths were confirmed, bringing Pennsylvania’s total to four and pushing the US fatality total to its highest level in decades.
- When
- The deaths were announced on Tuesday; the article says Pennsylvania had not recorded a measles-related death in 35 years before this summer and that the US recorded three deaths in 2025.
- Where
- The two deceased residents lived in Jefferson County and Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
- Why
- The outbreak has expanded amid declining vaccination rates and disagreement over vaccination policy and public messaging.
Vaccine and public-health advocates
Vaccine-policy critics and skeptics
MMR vaccine effectiveness
Vaccine and public-health advocates
Pennsylvania health officials and Chris Klomp said the two-dose MMR vaccine is the best or most effective protection against measles.
Vaccine-policy critics and skeptics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described the measles vaccine as a personal choice and has promoted claims about the shots that health officials characterize as false or unproven.
Interpretation of the Pennsylvania deaths
Vaccine and public-health advocates
Pennsylvania officials and Governor Josh Shapiro presented the deaths as evidence of the outbreak’s danger and the importance of vaccination.
Vaccine-policy critics and skeptics
Kennedy questioned Pennsylvania’s first reported deaths and suggested Governor Josh Shapiro’s office had fabricated them for political gain.
MMR vaccination policy
Vaccine and public-health advocates
Public-health officials favor continued use of the established two-dose MMR approach to protect against measles.
Vaccine-policy critics and skeptics
President Donald Trump signed an executive order recommending that the MMR vaccine be split into three shots, a change the article says could increase costs, complicate manufacturing and require additional clinic visits.
- Pennsylvania deaths
- Four confirmed measles-associated deaths this year.
- Pennsylvania cases
- Nearly 700 reported cases.
- Hospitalizations
- More than 130 people hospitalized; nearly all were unvaccinated.
- US deaths in 2025
- Three measles deaths were recorded.
- Historical comparison
- There were 166 suspected measles deaths during the 1989–1991 epidemic.
- Recommended protection
- Health officials recommend the fully administered, two-dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
- Infection risk
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health said nine out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to measles become infected.