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Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, is experiencing a measles outbreak with 11 confirmed cases reported this year. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that three of these cases required hospitalization. Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen emphasized the importance of vaccination, noting that 10 of the affected individuals were unvaccinated, while the vaccination status of the eleventh patient remains unknown.
The outbreak highlights a concerning trend of declining vaccination rates across the state. According to a report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, measles vaccination rates for kindergarten students have dropped below the critical 95% threshold in many schools, including those in Lebanon County. This decline is partly attributed to an increase in religious and philosophical exemptions sought by parents since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the outbreak, the Department of Health conducted contact tracing and held a vaccination clinic in Lebanon County, where 26 people received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. CBS 21 reports that statewide, 23 measles cases have been reported in 2026, with 22 involving unvaccinated individuals.
Health officials warn that the U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status due to rising cases. LebTown notes that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles, a highly contagious virus. The Department of Health urges anyone who suspects they may have had measles to contact them at 877-PA-HEALTH.