HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA / RankWire.AI / – Across 39 counties in 2026, Pennsylvania has documented a total of 943 confirmed measles cases. The state’s latest update also notes 176 hospitalizations and five deaths linked to measles as of Sept. 30. The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues its surveillance on infection rates, vaccination statuses, hospitalizations, and fatalities associated with the ongoing outbreak.
The most recent fatality involved an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County who tested positive for the virus. State officials have withheld additional personal details to protect privacy. All five measles-related deaths reported this year in Pennsylvania involved individuals without vaccination. These fatalities have been reported through established public health reporting channels as part of the national surveillance effort.
Vaccination data indicate that only four confirmed cases involved individuals who were properly vaccinated for their age group. These cases include three adults and one child from Centre, Jefferson, Lancaster, and Lycoming counties, collectively representing less than 1% of Pennsylvania’s total confirmed cases. Health officials continue to recommend that those lacking documented protection consult their healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.
Pennsylvania experiences significant rise in MMR immunizations
As the outbreak persists, demand for the MMR vaccine has surged. Healthcare providers administered over 53,000 doses in September, a stark increase compared to the usual 25,000 doses in a typical month. August saw more than 49,000 doses administered. Since late April, over 5,500 doses have been given at 180 pop-up clinics organized by state health officials.
The MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. Federal guidance states that two doses provide 97% immunity against measles, whereas a single dose offers 93% protection. Generally, individuals with two documented doses do not require additional routine doses. Adults with uncertain vaccination history or only one documented dose are advised to discuss their status with a healthcare professional.
National measles cases increase in 2026
Measles transmits through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. The virus can stay infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A rash generally appears several days later, often starting on the head. Symptoms can develop between seven and 21 days after exposure, with contagiousness possible before the rash appears.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak is part of a broader rise in measles activity across the United States this year. As of Sept. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 3,659 cases nationwide. Data from 47 reporting jurisdictions, including infections among international visitors, reveal that approximately 95% of these cases are linked to outbreaks. During all of 2025, the U.S. reported 2,289 confirmed measles cases.