Pa. Monitors Measles Cases

Unvaccinated individuals most at risk

June 17, 2026

Public health leaders across the commonwealth continue to monitor the spread of measles in Pennsylvania while highlighting the importance of vaccination.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed a Lancaster County resident tested positive for measles and may have exposed others at the Lancaster County Courthouse. This follows other confirmed cases in Lancaster and Lebanon counties last month.

Here’s what you need to know:

• By the numbers:  There have been 66 confirmed measles cases in Pennsylvania this year, which is ahead of last year’s total of 16.
  • Lancaster County has reported 40 cases this year. Lebanon County had the second highest total this year with 19 cases.
• Why it matters:  Measles is highly contagious, and remains airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, officials noted.
  • People who are unvaccinated, infants who are too young to receive the vaccine, and those in parts of the world with low vaccinated coverage are particularly vulnerable.”
• National picture:  There have been 2,073 cases reported nationally. Last year, there were 2,288 confirmed cases. These are the highest totals in over 30 years, putting the country’s measles elimination status at risk.
• What to watch:  Vaccination coverage for U.S. kindergartners has decreased from over 95.2 percent during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–2025 school year.
  • In Pennsylvania, 93.7 percent of kindergartners have received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• The bottom line:  “The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania health secretary, in a statement. “Two measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses protect you from measles and from spreading it to your family and community.”

HAP continues to monitor the latest public health developments and provide updates to members. Additional information for health care providers is available online.