Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Pennsylvania Seeks CDC Measles Aid Amid Death Count Dispute
Pennsylvania is dealing with a large measles outbreak.
More than 700 people have been confirmed sick across 37 counties.
State officials say four deaths were associated with measles.
They want the CDC to send extra experts to help.
However, Pennsylvania says it may cancel the request if the CDC does not publicly recognize the deaths.
Federal officials say getting help and counting deaths are separate matters.
The disagreement involves Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Governor Josh Shapiro.
Meanwhile, the outbreak is spreading and fewer vaccinations were given in early September than in August.
Pennsylvania requested emergency CDC assistance as its measles outbreak surpassed 700 confirmed cases across 37 counties.
The state reported four measles-associated deaths, but Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. instructed the CDC not to include them in a national tally.
Pennsylvania conditioned its request for CDC Epi-Aid on the agency publicly recognizing the four deaths.
Federal officials said outbreak assistance and fatality tabulation are separate issues, accusing Governor Josh Shapiro of politicizing the process.
The outbreak has expanded from 393 cases in 28 counties on August 25, while reported MMR vaccinations declined during the first half of September.
- Who
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health, the CDC, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Governor Josh Shapiro are central to the dispute.
- What
- Pennsylvania requested emergency CDC outbreak assistance while demanding recognition of four measles-associated deaths in national reporting.
- When
- The request was described in a letter sent Wednesday evening; the report was published September 17, and the outbreak expanded after August 25.
- Where
- Pennsylvania, including Lancaster County and Mifflin County, across 37 counties.
- Why
- Pennsylvania says accurate public recognition of the deaths is necessary for its response, while federal officials say assistance and fatality tabulation are separate issues.
Pennsylvania officials
Federal health officials
Recognition of deaths
Pennsylvania officials
Pennsylvania says the CDC’s failure to publicly recognize four measles-associated deaths undermines the state’s outbreak response.
Federal health officials
Federal officials have disputed how the deaths should be counted and said CDC assistance is separate from fatality tabulation.
Request for federal assistance
Pennsylvania officials
Pennsylvania began requesting Epi-Aid but said it would rescind the request if the CDC could not communicate the death information transparently and accurately.
Federal health officials
The Department of Health and Human Services said the CDC had not received the request through normal channels and accused Governor Josh Shapiro of politicizing the process.
Responsibility for the outbreak response
Pennsylvania officials
Governor Josh Shapiro has criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for amplifying vaccine fears and has highlighted state vaccination efforts.
Federal health officials
Kennedy and CDC officials have blamed Shapiro for not accepting earlier offers of Epi-Aid and for politicizing the outbreak.
- Confirmed cases
- More than 700 across 37 Pennsylvania counties
- Reported deaths
- Four measles-associated deaths
- CDC assistance requested
- Epi-Aid, a short-term emergency response involving CDC experts
- Earlier outbreak size
- 393 cases across 28 counties on August 25
- MMR vaccinations in August
- More than 3,500 doses administered
- MMR vaccinations in September
- About 1,100 doses administered during the first half of September
- Two-dose MMR protection
- The vaccine provides 97% protection against infection after two doses