Dorothy

Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak: Two Unvaccinated Residents Die, Highlighting Vaccine Declin

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, two unvaccinated individuals succumbed to measles, marking the first such deaths in the U.S. this year, intensifying concerns over declining vaccination rates and public health responses. This incident has reignited discussions on vaccine efficacy and immunization strategies, following a significant drop in MMR vaccination rates from 95.5% in 2017 to 87.6% in 2025. The CDC has criticized the administration for contributing to these outbreaks, highlighting challenges in managing measles in low-vaccination communities. Concurrently, a major measles outbreak has emerged in the U.S., with Pennsylvania reporting nearly 400 cases this year, surpassing previous decades' totals. The CDC is reviewing Pennsylvania's vaccination status for measles in light of this outbreak, raising questions about the state's eligibility for measles elimination status.

Active — last development 2026-08-27 · 8 chapters ·first seen 2026-08-26