LANCASTER, PA — Pennsylvania is expanding its measles response with 40 additional vaccine clinics and stepped-up school outreach after health officials confirmed two Lancaster County residents died in association with the virus Tuesday, the state’s first measles-associated deaths since 1991.
The escalation comes as the Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed 393 measles cases across 28 counties this year. Since the current outbreak began in April, the department has administered more than 4,100 measles, mumps and rubella vaccines through 91 pop-up clinics in affected areas.
Gov. Josh Shapiro outlined the response in Lancaster on Tuesday after the Department of Health disclosed the deaths. The state withheld identifying details about the two residents to protect their families’ privacy.
“Measles does not care about your county, your faith, or your social circle,” Shapiro stated. “It’s vital for every parent to know that if you or your kids are unvaccinated, you are at an increased risk for contracting this highly-contagious virus.”
Pennsylvania’s vaccination effort has accelerated as cases have spread. More than 35,000 residents received an MMR vaccine in July, about 10,000 more doses than in a typical month, according to the administration.
The Department of Health is also preparing another 40 pop-up vaccination clinics in the coming weeks. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% lifetime protection against measles, according to the department.
The response is increasingly focused on schools as students return for the new academic year. The departments of Health and Education are increasing outreach to school administrators and nurses, including reminders that schools must report immunization data to the state annually by Dec. 31.
Vaccination levels vary by grade. During the 2025-26 school year, 93.2% of Pennsylvania kindergarten students, 94.6% of seventh graders and 96.9% of 12th graders had received both required MMR doses.
While most schools have high vaccination rates, a significant number remain below the 95% community-immunity threshold recommended by public health experts, according to the administration.
Nearly 1,000 school nurses participated in state medical briefings last week as students prepared to return to classrooms. The Department of Health has also briefed more than 1,000 health care providers on identifying and treating measles, reflecting the rarity of the disease in the US for much of the careers of practicing clinicians.
The department has issued guidance allowing MMR vaccination for residents as young as 6 months based on research and guidance from medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Our hearts go out to the Lancaster County families grieving the loss of their family members,” Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen stated. “Their loss underscores why the Department of Health is working diligently to provide information and protection for Pennsylvanians.”
State health officials characterize the overall measles risk as low, particularly for fully vaccinated people. The virus can nevertheless cause pneumonia and brain swelling, and nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized, according to the department. Death occurs in roughly one to three cases per 1,000.
Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for as long as two hours after that person leaves. Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure with fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head and moves downward.
The Department of Health has also launched a tool allowing parents to review vaccination data for their children’s schools. Current guidance, the state measles dashboard and other resources are available at pa.gov/measles.
People who believe they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider or call the Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
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