Two unvaccinated people die from measles in Pennsylvania, officials confirm
Summary
Two unvaccinated people in Pennsylvania have died from measles, marking the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years and the first in the U.S. in 2026. Measles cases are increasing nationwide, partly because vaccination rates have dropped below the needed level to prevent outbreaks.Key Facts
- Two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died from measles in 2026.
- These are the first measles deaths in Pennsylvania since 1991 and the first in the U.S. this year.
- There have been 393 confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania across 28 counties in 2026.
- The U.S. has seen at least 2,777 measles cases this year, the highest since 1991.
- Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to high vaccination rates.
- Current U.S. vaccination rates are around 92%, below the 95% target needed to prevent spread.
- In Lancaster County, only 87.6% of kindergartners were fully vaccinated against measles last school year.
- The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective and safe, but misinformation has lowered public confidence.
- Some government officials, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump, have made statements that contributed to vaccine skepticism.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
