PENNSYLVANIA, USA — 792 cases of measles have appeared in Pennsylvania across 39 counties in 2026.
Over 300 cases were reported in august and so far over 250 in September, according to the Pennsylvania department of health,
out of the nearly 800 cases, 155 people were hospitalized, and four people have passed away.
During his visit at the reopening of the Scranton Electric Building on Friday, Governor Shapiro addressed how this marks the first death in Pennsylvania due to measles in over 30 years.
“We know that this vaccine works, we know that the rates of vaccination have declined, and we know that we are now dealing with a measles outbreak that is incredibly dangerous here in our commonwealth” says Governor Shapiro.
The PA Department of Health found that less than 1% of this year’s measles cases affected fully vaccinated people.
The Department says the MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, provides a 97% lifetime protection from measles.
Governor Shapiro urging people to get vaccinated and prevent the spread of the virus.
“When you have a community immunity level, or what some people refer to as a herd immunity level of about 95%, that stops measles from being able to spread in a community” says Governor Shapiro.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health says it will be offering MMR vaccinations during the Bloomsburg Fair between September 26th and October 3rd at no charge.