The Shapiro Administration has announced an expanded statewide strategy to combat the measles virus following the Pennsylvania Department of Health's confirmation of two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County. This marks the first measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania since 1991.
According to a press release from the Governor's office, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has hosted 91 measles vaccine pop-up clinics so far this year. The administration plans to host an additional 40 pop-up clinics in the coming weeks to increase access to the MMR vaccine.
Since an outbreak began in April, the Department of Health has confirmed 393 cases of measles across 29 counties. In July 2026, more than 35,000 Pennsylvanians received an MMR vaccine, which was 10,000 more doses than a typical month. The MMR vaccine provides 97 percent lifetime protection after two doses.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are collaborating to provide resources to parents, students, and school communities. This outreach includes a school vaccination resource tool to help parents access their children's school vaccination data.
Data from the 2025–2026 school year showed that 93.2 percent of Pennsylvania kindergarten students, 94.6 percent of seventh graders, and 96.9 percent of twelfth graders had received both required doses of the MMR vaccine. However, officials noted that a significant number of schools currently fall below the 95 percent community immunity threshold recommended by public health experts.
The Department of Health has also focused on provider outreach, conducting medical briefings for more than 1,000 health care providers to help them identify and treat the virus. Additionally, the Department has issued guidance for providers to administer MMR vaccines to residents as young as 6 months old.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Nearly 20 percent of those who contract the virus are hospitalized, and death occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
