Pennsylvania is facing a growing measles outbreak, with 424 infections reported across the state, including 94 in a seven-day period. Lancaster County has recorded 197 cases, the highest number in the state, and is the location of the first two measles-associated deaths in the country for 2026. The fatalities have triggered a public war of words between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Measles Outbreak and Deaths Spark Clashes Between Gov. Shapiro and RFK Jr.
The two individuals who died were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County. Gov. Shapiro stated, Both were unvaccinated. We hope and we pray that those deaths will be the last.
Shapiro blamed a drop in vaccination rates for the rising case numbers and criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading misinformation, asserting that there are real-life consequences to scaring people and not relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide unbiased information.
Questions Raised Over Details and Medical Classifications
Following the initial announcement, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took to social media to question the validity of the announcement. In posts on X, Kennedy lambasted Shapiro’s handling of the situation and questioned whether the deaths may have been altogether fabricated by one of the governor’s hopeful staffers.
Kennedy also claimed that Shapiro was refusing to share information with the CDC or the County Health Department.
State health officials clarified that the term measles-associated
is used when laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of the disease is present, even if measles may not be assessed by the medical certifier or coroner as the immediate cause of death. Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen confirmed the two deaths after reviewing case investigation information, noting her decades of experience as a pediatrician.
Further details emerged regarding one of the decedents, a newborn in Lancaster County. According to the Lancaster County coroner and reports, the infant died shortly after birth from a laceration of the spleen. Postmortem tests on the baby’s lung tissue indicated a measles infection acquired before birth in utero. Infectious disease experts noted that while measles does not typically rupture the spleen, an in utero infection may have enlarged and weakened the organ, making it vulnerable during delivery.
Vaccination Rates and Public Health Debates
The outbreak has brought renewed attention to declining immunization coverage. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data cited in reports, 92.7% of Pennsylvania kindergarteners received the MMR vaccine before the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.5% a decade earlier. Public health officials emphasize that maintaining herd immunity requires vaccination rates above 95%.
During a phone call between the two officials, Shapiro declined additional federal support from HHS and the CDC, noting that the state health department was already coordinating with CDC staff. Shapiro reported that Kennedy spoke about fetal tissue during their conversation and suggested it would be better to return to natural measles.
Kennedy has a history of casting doubts on vaccines and repeating inaccurate claims regarding the safety and efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Related reading