Two Unvaccinated Individuals Die from Measles in Pennsylvania Amidst Rising Cases

First Measles Deaths in Pennsylvania in Decades

Pennsylvania health officials confirmed Tuesday that two unvaccinated individuals have died from measles. These are the first reported measles deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years and the first in the United States in 2026. The individuals were residents of Lancaster County, but no further details were released due to privacy concerns.

Rising Measles Cases and Declining Vaccination Rates

The deaths coincide with a significant increase in measles cases across the US. In 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded at least 2,777 cases, which is the highest total since 1991. This surge is attributed to declining vaccination rates nationwide, which have slipped to approximately 92 percent, falling below the 95 percent threshold needed to prevent community spread. Non-medical vaccination exemptions have also reached a record high of 4 percent this year.

Local Impact of Vaccination Decline

In Pennsylvania, measles vaccination rates have decreased from 96.7 percent in 2017 to 92.7 percent in 2026. Specifically, in Lancaster County, where the recent deaths occurred, only 87.6 percent of kindergartners were fully vaccinated against measles in the last school year. The state has reported 393 confirmed cases across 28 counties this year.

Historical Context of Measles Elimination

The US had declared measles eliminated in 2000 following concerted vaccination efforts that broke transmission chains over a 12-month period. Prior to the 2026 deaths, the US had not seen a measles death since 2015. Last year, three measles deaths were reported: two unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.