Harrisburg, Pa. \u2014 The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) today announced that 903 measles cases have been confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania so far this year.<\/p>\n
Key updates include:<\/p>\n
New positive cases (since Sept. 25): 13Total counties: 39Total cumulative cases: 903Total hospitalizations: 176Total confirmed measles-associated deaths: 4Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)<\/p>\n
Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission, and vaccination efforts on DOH\u2019s dashboard: pa.gov\/measles<\/a>.<\/p>\n Outreach and response<\/p>\n DOH says it is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers<\/a> to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.\u00a0<\/p>\n State health officials have administered more than 5,300 MMR vaccinations at 173 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. Overall, state health center staff have administered more than 7,900 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n Health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In August 2026, more than 49,000 MMR vaccines were administered across the Commonwealth and over the first three weeks of September 2026, more than 38,000 doses have been administered.<\/p>\n Getting vaccinated<\/p>\n The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated, the DOH says.<\/p>\n The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person\u2019s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection<\/a>. People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider.<\/p>\n MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider,\u00a0county or municipal health department<\/a>,\u00a0DOH State Health Center<\/a>,\u00a0Federally Qualified Health Centers<\/a> (FQHCs), or a\u00a0Vaccines for Children<\/a> (VFC) program.<\/p>\n Measles symptoms and transmission<\/p>\n Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.<\/p>\n Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.<\/p>\n Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start seven to 21 days after exposure.<\/p>\n