State health officials in Pennsylvania announced the deaths of two unvaccinated residents from measles, marking the first U.S. deaths from the disease in the current year. Both individuals were residents of Lancaster County, located west of Philadelphia. State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed condolences to the families and noted that measles had been largely eliminated in Pennsylvania for more than three decades, leaving many residents unfamiliar with the potential severity of the illness.
The fatalities represent part of a broader measles resurgence in the United States. The country has recorded five measles deaths over the last two years—exceeding the combined total from the previous three decades. With 2,777 cases documented as of Thursday according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year has already surpassed case counts from the previous year. Epidemiologists have characterized this as the worst measles year since 1991. International health officials are scheduled to meet in November to assess whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status, which the U.S. achieved in 2000 through high vaccination rates.
Vaccination rates have declined in recent years, falling below the 95% coverage threshold necessary to prevent outbreaks. The measles surge has coincided with policy changes from the Trump administration aimed at scaling back childhood vaccination programs. The administration has cited concerns about vaccine safety, which scientific studies have found to be without foundation. Recent actions have included an executive order for revised childhood vaccine recommendations and proposals to separate combination vaccines into individual shots.
State and local health officials have expressed concern that administration messaging is contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Governor Josh Shapiro stated he directly communicated to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that administration actions and rhetoric are negatively affecting communities. Vaccination data released recently showed the overall U.S. kindergarten vaccination rate declined slightly and the share of children with exemptions reached an all-time high. Pennsylvania has documented nearly 400 measles cases this year and reported administering approximately 35,000 vaccinations, an increase from the typical monthly pace of about 25,000.
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