Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died from measles, and both lived in Lancaster County, the home of the largest Amish population in the U.S. State health officials announced the deaths, and the outbreak is centered in that county. The main protection in the reporting is the MMR vaccine, and the sections below explain what is known, what is not, and what you can do now.
Who died from measles in Pennsylvania?
The 6abc report on the two deaths says the two people were unvaccinated, lived in Lancaster County, and were the first U.S. measles deaths this year. Officials did not share any other details about the people who died.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Debra Bogen said many people no longer understand how serious measles can be, because the disease was largely eliminated in the state for more than three decades. The same report notes that the U.S. has now seen five measles-associated deaths in the last two years.
What is the connection between the Amish community and measles?
Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish community, and it is home to the largest Amish population in the U.S. An Associated Press report carried by the New Haven Register describes the county as the epicenter of the nation’s worst measles outbreak in 35 years. The AP report on Pennsylvania Amish country adds that the Amish avoid many types of civic engagement for religious reasons, but they are not truly separate from the wider public.
According to the AP, vaccination rates have long been low among the Amish, and rates among the general public are now falling. The AP says that combination created the perfect conditions for measles to spread here and beyond. The 6abc report describes the Amish as a religious group that is sometimes reluctant to embrace modern medical interventions such as vaccines.
For background on the disease itself, measles is a highly infectious viral illness. A 2008 MMWR outbreak report on a separate 2007 outbreak, linked to an international youth sporting event, found that imported cases continue to cause illness and outbreaks among susceptible U.S. residents. That report is about a different outbreak, not the Amish cases in Lancaster County.
The numbers at a glance
| Measure | Figure | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County kindergartners up to date on measles vaccines, last school year | About 88% | State data, reported by 6abc |
| Vaccination coverage needed to prevent outbreaks | 95% | 6abc, citing the U.S. elimination history |
| Pennsylvania measles cases this year (at the time of the 6abc report) | Nearly 400 | State officials, reported by 6abc; may be out of date |
| Cases in Chester County, the Philadelphia region’s highest count | 41 | 6abc |
| U.S. measles cases (as of the 6abc report) | 2,777 | CDC count, reported by 6abc |
The nearly 400 Pennsylvania cases figure comes from the 6abc report, and it may be out of date. For the current count, check the state health department. For the wider picture across the state, see our Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak 2026 guide.
Does the MMR vaccine protect against measles?
Federal health officials said in a statement reported by 6abc that the MMR vaccine provides the most effective protection against measles and helps prevent its spread. The state has also promoted vaccination as cases rose. Officials said about 35,000 people had been vaccinated, up from the usual pace of about 25,000 per month. A 1997 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine surveyed Pennsylvania primary care physicians about their knowledge and attitudes on barriers to measles and pertussis immunization.
Good nutrition supports general health, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes that vitamin D promotes healthy functioning of the muscles and immune system. Federal officials, however, name the MMR vaccine as the most effective protection against measles.
Earlier outbreaks show how coverage changes the outcome. A CDC-assisted report on a 2003 Pennsylvania boarding school outbreak found that high vaccine coverage among students was effective in limiting the size of the outbreak. A 2009 Pennsylvania hospital outbreak report found that among 168 potentially exposed employees, 72 (43%) had no documented measles immunity.
What are my options for protection and care?
The table lists each option that the reporting and studies above cover, who it suits, and its limits.
| Option | What the sources say | Who it suits | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMR vaccine | Federal health officials say it provides the most effective protection against measles and helps prevent its spread. | People who are not protected. Ask a clinician whether your records show immunity. | Cost and coverage vary. Check with your clinic or plan. |
| Documented immunity for health workers | The 2009 hospital report recommends that employees have documented measles immunity, and offers vaccination to those without evidence of it. | Health care staff | Set by each facility’s own policy. |
| Isolating possibly infectious patients | The same 2009 report says clinicians should know the signs and symptoms of measles, ask about travel, and isolate potentially infectious patients. | Clinics and hospitals | A setting measure, not a home treatment. |
| Documenting vaccination at large gatherings | A 2008 MMWR report on a youth sporting event suggests organizers of large events attended by international travelers consider documenting adequate participant vaccination. | Event organizers | Depends on the event’s rules. |
If someone in your household has a fever and rash, contact a clinician before visiting, and tell the office about the symptoms so staff can take precautions.
How much does the MMR vaccine cost?
Costs vary by clinic, pharmacy and insurance. Ask your doctor’s office, pharmacy or local health department what the MMR vaccine costs for you and whether your plan covers it. For another vaccine’s price, timing and free options, see our NYC Flu Vaccine Guide: Price, Timing, Safety and Free Options. For news on a different kind of vaccine, see Personalized Cancer Vaccine Reports Positive Phase 3 Melanoma Result.
What is still not known?
- Officials have not shared more about the two people who died, beyond their county of residence.
- In November, international health officials will meet to determine whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status, according to 6abc.
- How many people in Lancaster County are still unprotected is not yet known. Your local health department can tell you the current county picture.
Your next steps
- Check your own and your children’s measles vaccine records with your clinic.
- If you develop a fever and rash, call ahead before visiting a clinic.
- Read our Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak 2026 guide for the wider picture across the state.
- Talk with a clinician about what fits your household’s situation.
