Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Shapiro, Kennedy Clash Over Pennsylvania’s Deadly Measles Outbreak
Pennsylvania is experiencing a large outbreak of measles, a disease that spreads very easily.
More than 400 people in the state have become sick, and two unvaccinated people have died.
Governor Josh Shapiro says federal Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making people less confident in vaccines.
Kennedy disagrees and says government actions during the Covid-19 pandemic hurt trust in vaccines.
The state’s vaccination rate has fallen below the level experts say helps stop outbreaks.
Lancaster County has an even lower vaccination rate than the rest of Pennsylvania.
Measles can cause serious illness, including pneumonia and death.
The MMR vaccine protects strongly against measles, especially after two doses.
The governor and secretary are arguing about how to respond and who is responsible.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro blamed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for vaccine distrust amid a measles outbreak that has killed two people and infected more than 400.
The two deaths occurred among unvaccinated people in Lancaster County and were Pennsylvania’s first measles deaths in more than 35 years.
Pennsylvania’s kindergarten MMR vaccination rate fell to 92.7%, while Lancaster County’s rate was about 86%, below levels associated with community immunity.
Kennedy rejected responsibility for declining vaccination rates, attributing distrust partly to government actions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CDC reported 2,777 measles cases across 45 states this year, while Pennsylvania has administered 3,100 MMR vaccines since the outbreak began in late April.
- Who
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are disputing vaccine messaging and public-health policy.
- What
- A Pennsylvania measles outbreak has caused two deaths and more than 400 infections, prompting a public clash over vaccination confidence.
- When
- The outbreak began in late April; the deaths and dispute were reported during 2026.
- Where
- The outbreak is centered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, amid a nationwide outbreak across 45 states.
- Why
- Shapiro says Kennedy’s statements and federal policy changes are undermining vaccine confidence, while Kennedy blames declining trust partly on government actions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shapiro’s View
Kennedy’s View
Responsibility for vaccine distrust
Shapiro’s View
Shapiro says Kennedy’s rhetoric, conspiracy claims, and efforts to reshape federal public-health policy are contributing to confusion and falling immunization rates.
Kennedy’s View
Kennedy denies causing Pennsylvania’s decline in vaccination and says much of the drop began before his tenure.
Sources of declining confidence
Shapiro’s View
Shapiro argues that undermining vetted medical guidance has real consequences, including outbreaks and deaths.
Kennedy’s View
Kennedy says Covid-19 lockdowns, government deception, manipulation, and overreach severely damaged public faith in vaccines.
Federal response and vaccine policy
Shapiro’s View
Shapiro says federal public-health leaders have not shown enough urgency and visibility during the outbreak, and he declined Kennedy’s offer of federal assistance.
Kennedy’s View
Kennedy says the Trump administration is working to restore public trust and supports changes including separating the combined MMR vaccine into three shots.
- Pennsylvania cases
- More than 400 measles infections, including 94 new cases in the past seven days.
- Deaths
- Two unvaccinated people died in Lancaster County.
- State vaccination rate
- About 92.7% of Pennsylvania kindergartners received two MMR doses during the 2025-26 school year.
- Lancaster vaccination rate
- About 86% of kindergartners received the required vaccination.
- Nationwide cases
- The CDC reported 2,777 measles cases across 45 states this year.
- MMR effectiveness
- The vaccine is 97% effective against measles after two doses.
- Pennsylvania vaccinations
- The state health department administered 3,100 MMR vaccines since the outbreak began and 4,600 total in 2026.