The measles outbreak in Pennsylvania is continuing to grow, with 55 new cases confirmed since Wednesday, ABC News reported. This latest update from the state health department brings the total number of cases so far this year to 890, spreading across 39 counties. In this span, at least 173 people have been hospitalized, and four measles-associated deaths have been reported.
From the Pennsylvania Department of Health data, the trend regarding vaccination status is clear. Fewer than 1% of the state cases, which amounts to only four people in total, are among those who are fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine. The majority of the cases are among those between ages 25 and 49, followed by those between ages 18 and 24. Lancaster County is currently seeing the highest number of cases at 359, while Mifflin County follows with 102.
The state has been working hard to get shots into arms. According to a press release, “State health officials have administered more than 5,300 MMR vaccinations at 165 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April.” They also noted that dozens of additional clinics are scheduled for the coming weeks and months. In total, state health center staff have administered more than 7,900 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026.
Health care providers are reporting an increase in people interested in receiving the vaccine
While the state typically administers about 25,000 MMR doses every month, the numbers have jumped significantly recently. More than 49,000 doses were administered in August 2026, and over 38,000 doses were given during the first three weeks of September.
The measles outbreak in Pennsylvania is continuing to grow with 55 new cases confirmed since Wednesday, according to an update from the state health department. https://t.co/VXHHkGUGLe
— ABC News (@ABC) September 25, 2026
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, highlighted the severity of the situation. He told ABC News, “Measles is a nasty virus and highly, highly contagious — the most contagious virus we know — and it’s so sad that it continues to occur and afflict even a single child in the United States because it’s a completely preventable disease.”
The situation in Pennsylvania is part of a larger national trend. Measles cases in the United States have surpassed 3,600 so far in 2026, with cases confirmed in 45 states and Washington, D.C., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends two doses of the vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing infection.
Unfortunately, vaccination rates have been slipping. During the 2025 to 2026 school year, 92.4% of kindergartners received the vaccine, which is down from 95.2% during the 2019 to 2020 school year.
Dr. Schaffner expressed his thoughts on why this is happening. “I think it is concerning that there will be more outbreaks, some larger, some smaller, because it’s clear from the national data that a proportion of parents are withholding their children from vaccination,” Schaffner said. “They have questions. They have concerns. They have hesitancy, and I always say, speak to your child’s doctor, a pediatrician, a family doctor, and voice your concerns, express your hesitation, and have that conversation with your doctor.”
If you believe you have been exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms, the state health department recommends that you contact your health care provider immediately. You can also reach out to the department’s toll-free hotline at 877-724-3258.
