Two unvaccinated individuals have died from measles in Pennsylvania, marking the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years and the first in the US since 2015. The deaths come amid a surge of over 2,777 measles cases in 2026 — the highest total since 1991 — as national vaccination rates have slipped below the 95% herd immunity threshold.
Background
The US declared measles eliminated in 2000 after sustained vaccination campaigns, but declining immunization rates and record-high non-medical exemptions have reignited outbreaks across multiple states.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026 at 01:39 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10