# US Records First Measles Deaths This Year Two people in Pennsylvania have died due to measles. - **Source:** [Wired](https://www.wired.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-25 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/21e8eecc-b018-4fa8-8e73-38752c0026d0 ## Measles Deaths The first measles-related deaths in the US this year were confirmed in Pennsylvania. The state’s health department reported that two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County died from the virus. Pennsylvania has recorded 393 measles cases so far in 2026, with Lancaster County accounting for nearly half of these cases. ## Situation in Lancaster County Lancaster County has seen approximately half of Pennsylvania’s measles cases, particularly within the Amish community. The health department chose not to release detailed information to protect privacy. Only 87% of incoming kindergarteners in Lancaster County are fully vaccinated, well below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. ## Governor Shapiro’s Statement Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized that measles is a preventable disease and urged the public to get vaccinated. He highlighted that measles is one of the most contagious diseases globally and stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing illness and death. ## Impact of Measles Measles can lead to severe complications, especially in children. In Pennsylvania, nearly 20% of those infected required hospitalization. The virus can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and other life-threatening conditions, leading to long-term health issues or death. ## National Data The US has recorded nearly 2,800 measles cases this year, a significant increase from 2,289 cases in 2025. The CDC noted declining vaccination rates as a key factor driving the outbreaks. Kindergarten vaccination coverage has decreased across the country, contributing to the rise in cases. ## Vaccine Hesitancy CDC data shows that the number of parents seeking non-medical exemptions for vaccines has risen from 3.6% to a record high of 4.2% nationwide. Measles outbreaks require a 95% vaccination rate to be prevented, but Lancaster County’s rate stands at just 87%. ## Health Department Efforts The Pennsylvania Health Department has opened 91 pop-up vaccination clinics and administered over 4,100 vaccines this year in response to the outbreak. About a quarter of these vaccines were given in Lancaster County. Governor Shapiro attributed the surge in cases to vaccine misinformation and hesitancy. ## Trump’s Vaccine Policy President Donald Trump signed an executive order to separate the MMR vaccine, potentially complicating the vaccination process. Over 210 medical organizations and patient groups criticized the move, stating it would leave children less protected and confuse families. The MMR vaccine has been administered as a single injection since 1971. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.wired.com/story/us-recorded-first-measles-deaths-2026/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._