Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania clashed with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County, with the governor accusing the administration of fueling vaccine hesitancy and the health secretary alleging the deaths were altogether fabricated.
Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in 35 years ignited a public feud between Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as officials and critics grappled with conflicting accounts of the cases and their implications for vaccine policy.
A Heated Exchange Over Measles Deaths and Vaccine Rhetoric
Minutes before a news conference announcing two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) had a heated call with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., during which he accused the Trump administration of sowing confusion about vaccines and contributing to the resurgence of a disease the U.S. had eliminated over a quarter-century ago. Shapiro told Kennedy that the state did not want additional federal help.
At a subsequent press event, Shapiro reiterated his criticism, stating that Kennedy’s actions and the rhetoric coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania. Kennedy, who previously led the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, responded by accusing Shapiro of “fearmongering” and the weaponization of infectious disease for political gain. He suggested the deaths may have been altogether fabricated by hopeful staffers to bolster a narrative about measles’ dangers.
Measles death in Pennsylvania disputed as RFK Jr., Josh
The Health Department’s Confirmation and the CDC’s Doubts
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health confirmed the deaths as measles-associated, meaning that lab or epidemiological evidence of measles was present but not necessarily the direct cause of death. Dr. Debra Bogen, the state’s health secretary, stated she had thoroughly reviewed the case investigation and sadly can confirm the deaths in Lancaster County, which were reported to the CDC’s measles response team.
However, the CDC raised questions about the state’s collaboration, stating in a social media post that the Governor’s Office has not provided CDC with information relevant to the outbreak and has declined our offers of assistance. Pennsylvania’s health department pushed back, asserting that it is in touch with the CDC’s program staff and regularly shared data with the agency.
The Coroner’s Findings and the Debate Over Measles’ Role
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni told reporters that an infant who tested positive for measles died from a spleen laceration, with measles antibodies detected postmortem. However, the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy did not feel it was related to the measles, Diamantoni said. Kennedy and others seized on this to question the validity of the second case, while the state emphasized that not all deaths are referred to a coroner under Pennsylvania law.
Governor Josh Shapiro, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr
The dispute underscores broader tensions over vaccine hesitancy and public health communication. Pennsylvania’s MMR vaccination rate for kindergarteners fell to 92.7% in the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.5% a decade earlier, CBS News noted. Shapiro blamed the decline for the surge in cases, while Kennedy continued to question the state’s transparency.
Historical Context and Global Measles Statistics
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death. Measles vaccination averted nearly 59 million deaths between 2000 and 2024. Even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, in 2024, there were an estimated 95,000 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under the age of 5 years. The proportion of children receiving a first dose of measles vaccine was 84% in 2025, slightly below the 2019 level of 86%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Pre-vaccine era data reveals the severity of the disease. Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.
Vaccine Development and Elimination Efforts
In 1963, John Enders and colleagues transformed their Edmonston-B strain of measles virus into a vaccine and licensed it in the United States.
Shapiro, RFK Jr. clash after Pennsylvania health officials report
The U.S. set a goal to eliminate measles by 1982, but the disease was not eradicated. However, widespread vaccination drastically reduced cases.
Current Measles Outbreak in Pennsylvania
As of the latest data, Pennsylvania is reporting 424 measles infections, with 94 cases in the last seven days. Lancaster County has 197 cases, the highest in the state, and is where the first two measles deaths occurred. In 2025, Pennsylvania had a total of 16 measles cases, and in 2024, it reported just 6, according to CDC data. The state’s Department of Health emphasized that both deceased individuals were unvaccinated, a factor contributing to the outbreak.
Public Health Recommendations and Next Steps
Public health officials advise that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, with herd immunity achieved when over 95% of a population is vaccinated. The CDC states that the current vaccination rate for Pennsylvania kindergarteners is 92.7%, a decline from 95.5% a decade ago.
As the investigation unfolds, the conflict highlights the challenges of balancing public health messaging with political rhetoric, and the critical role of transparency in managing infectious disease outbreaks.
