Key facts
- Pennsylvania has reported a total of four measles-associated deaths.
- A six-week-old Amish infant in Lancaster County died from measles.
- Governor Josh Shapiro accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of politicizing the measles outbreak.
- Kennedy denied directing the CDC to suppress Pennsylvania deaths, stating the agency follows a consistent national standard.
- Pennsylvania has 693 recorded measles cases in 38 counties.
- Kindergarten MMR vaccination coverage has fallen below the 95% threshold needed to prevent widespread transmission.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are publicly clashing over the handling and reporting of measles cases and deaths in the state. Shapiro announced two additional measles-associated deaths, bringing the total to four, and accused Kennedy of downplaying the severity of the outbreak and interfering with federal data reporting.
Shapiro stated on X that the state is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with 693 cases reported in 38 counties. He criticized Kennedy for allegedly intervening in the administrative process to prevent the CDC from reporting these deaths, suggesting it was to fit a "phony narrative." Shapiro also noted that kindergarten MMR vaccination coverage has fallen below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
Kennedy responded by accusing Shapiro of politicizing the outbreak and refusing federal assistance. He denied Shapiro's claim that he directed the CDC to suppress deaths, asserting that the agency applies a consistent national standard for mortality statistics. Kennedy stated he offered CDC Epi-Aid, a deployment of epidemiologists to assist with outbreak response, which has been requested by other states. He also highlighted that the CDC's recommendation for the MMR vaccine remains unchanged and that he has repeatedly stated its effectiveness.
Adding to the dispute, Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni confirmed that a six-week-old Amish infant died from measles last month. The infant had been receiving care for a genetic disorder, and measles was listed on the death certificate as a significant contributing condition, though not the underlying cause. This case became a focal point in the public disagreement, with Kennedy questioning the attribution of deaths to measles.