Federal response to growing measles cases nationwide
Measles infections in Pennsylvania are part of 2,777 confirmed cases nationwide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Annual cases have already eclipsed the total number seen last year, which included the deaths of two unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
Support for the MMR vaccine has been inconsistent among Trump administration appointees and agency leaders, with some repeating disproven theories about the shots’ links to autism and other safety concerns.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month ordering that the combination MMR shot be broken up into separate injections after arguing that the move would make the vaccinations safer, despite no scientific evidence supporting that claim.
Major medical organizations and pediatricians across the country have stated that the change would most likely lead to vaccination delays and more gaps in immunization coverage.
Shapiro spoke in Lancaster Tuesday after taking a call from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is a known vaccine skeptic.
The Pennsylvania governor said Kenney offered additional federal support in the state’s response to its measles outbreak.
While he appreciated the offer of assistance, Shapiro said he was “blunt” in telling Kennedy that recent actions and rhetoric from him and the Trump administration has had “a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania.”
“There’s real-life consequences to spreading misinformation. There’s real-life consequences to scaring people and not relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide unbiased information to parents so that we can make reasonable decisions for our kids,” Shapiro said. “Sharing conspiracy theories and misinformation does not help the cause of public health. And it leaves people less healthy and less safe, and it leaves parents in a position where it’s harder for us to do our jobs to protect our children.”
In a statement made to WHYY and on social media, officials at HHS and CDC said they extend condolences to the families and communities affected by the two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County.
“CDC is working closely with state and local health departments to strengthen response efforts, rapidly support affected communities across the state, and communicate the steps people can take to slow the spread of measles. The MMR vaccine provides the most effective protection against measles and helps prevent its spread. CDC will continue to follow Pennsylvania’s lead and provide resources to support the state’s response,” federal agencies wrote.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated.