PA Health Department Reports Nearly 800 Measles Cases, Worst Outbreak in More Than 30 Years

 Pennsylvania is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years with 792 measles cases confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. The most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on our measles dashboard at pa.gov/measles.

While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform the Department’s ongoing response.

Key updates include:

• New Positive Cases (since September 18, 2026): 25
• Total Counties: 39
• Total Cumulative Cases: 792
• Total Hospitalizations: 155
• Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 4
• Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)

As part of our ongoing response to the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, DOH will be offering MMR vaccinations during the Bloomsburg Fair in Columbia County. Vaccinations will be available the following dates and times at the fair:

• Saturday, September 26 – Friday, October 2: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Saturday, October 3: 10 AM to 2 PM

The MMR vaccinations will be available at no cost and there will be no insurance eligibility screening. Anyone who is receiving their first dose of the MMR vaccination will be provided with information to schedule their second dose at their nearest State Health center.

The Bloomsburg Fair vaccine clinic is just the latest way the Department is meeting Pennsylvanians where they are, to ensure they have the facts and evidence to make decisions about vaccination for themselves and their family.

DOH is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

State health officials have administered more than 4,800 MMR vaccinations at 148 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. Overall, state health center staff have administered more than 6,900 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026.

Health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In August 2026, more than 46,000 MMR vaccines were administered across the Commonwealth and over the first two weeks of September 2026, more than 25,000 doses have been administered.

https://pennwatch.org/pa-health-department-reports-nearly-800-measles-cases-worst-outbreak-in-more-than-30-years/