HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA / RankWire.AI / – Pennsylvania has recorded 943 confirmed measles cases across 39 counties in 2026. The latest state update also lists 176 hospitalizations and five measles-associated deaths through Sept. 30. Case numbers increased by 40 from the previous update on Sept. 28. The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to track infections, vaccination status, hospital admissions and deaths linked to the outbreak.
The fifth measles-associated death involved an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County who had tested positive for the virus. State officials released no further personal details because of privacy protections. All five measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania this year involved people who were unvaccinated. Health officials have submitted the deaths through established public health reporting channels as part of ongoing national surveillance.
Vaccination records show that only four confirmed Pennsylvania cases involved people appropriately vaccinated for their age. The group includes three adults and one child from Centre, Jefferson, Lancaster and Lycoming counties. Those four cases represent less than 1% of Pennsylvania’s confirmed total. State health officials continue to advise people without documented protection to consult a doctor or pharmacist about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Pennsylvania sees sharp increase in MMR vaccinations
Demand for the MMR vaccine has risen as Pennsylvania responds to the outbreak. Health care providers administered more than 53,000 doses during September, compared with about 25,000 in a typical month. Providers also gave more than 49,000 doses during August. State health staff have administered more than 5,500 doses at 180 pop-up clinics since the outbreak began in late April.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Two doses provide 97% protection against measles, while one dose provides 93% protection, according to federal guidance. People with two documented doses generally do not need another dose for routine protection. Adults with uncertain records or only one documented dose should discuss their vaccination status with a health professional.
National measles total climbs during 2026
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash usually appears several days later and often begins on the head. Symptoms can develop seven to 21 days after exposure, and people can spread measles before the rash appears.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak forms part of a wider increase in measles activity across the United States this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 3,659 cases nationwide as of Sept. 24. Federal data covered 47 reporting jurisdictions and included infections among international visitors. About 95% of confirmed cases were associated with outbreaks. The United States recorded 2,289 confirmed measles cases during all of 2025.