Key facts
- Pennsylvania has confirmed 943 measles cases and five associated deaths.
- Lancaster County has reported 381 measles cases, primarily among Amish communities.
- Many Amish individuals have low MMR vaccine uptake due to unawareness or infrequent healthcare access, not anti-vaccine sentiment.
- Chester County, with 83 cases, is preparing for spread to non-Plain community members.
- Montgomery County is prioritizing immunization efforts to combat the rising cases.
- Delaware County's health department is working to protect residents despite the collapse of its largest healthcare provider, Crozer Health.
Pennsylvania is facing a significant measles outbreak, with public health officials anticipating further spread across the state. As of last week, the state had recorded 943 confirmed cases in 39 counties and five measles-associated deaths. Officials are concerned about increasing vaccine skepticism and the challenges posed by a lack of county-level health departments in most of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
Lancaster County, which does not have its own health department, has been the epicenter of the outbreak, with 381 cases primarily among Amish and similar religious communities known for historically low vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Community members and health officials are working to establish a local health department to better manage the situation.
Jeanne Franklin, director of Chester County's health department, stated that her county, with 83 cases, is preparing for the disease to spread to non-Amish populations due to its long border with Lancaster County. She noted that while many Amish individuals are unvaccinated, it's often due to unawareness or infrequent healthcare access rather than anti-vaccine sentiment, and they are open to discussions about vaccination.
Chester County's existing health department infrastructure is seen as an advantage in combating the outbreak. Dr. Richard Lorraine, medical director of Montgomery County's office of public health, acknowledged that measles cases are expected to rise in his county and emphasized immunization as the primary preventative measure. His office is working with community organizers to ensure vaccine accessibility for all residents, regardless of insurance status.
Lora Werner, director of the Delaware County health department, highlighted challenges including the bankruptcy of Crozer Health, a major provider of pediatric care. Despite these hurdles, Werner expressed optimism about the newly established local health department's ability to serve residents and integrate into social networks. She noted that Pennsylvania's requirement for referendums to establish health departments has resulted in a patchwork of county-level public health infrastructure.