Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is questioning two measles-associated deaths reported in Pennsylvania, prompting a public dispute with Gov. Josh Shapiro as the state confronts its largest measles outbreak in decades.
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed Tuesday that two unvaccinated people in Lancaster County died after contracting measles, marking the state’s first measles-associated deaths in 35 years. At least one was a newborn who tested positive for an infection acquired before birth.
Kennedy later suggested on social media that the deaths might have been “fabricated” and accused Pennsylvania officials of withholding information from federal authorities. State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen disputed that account, saying Pennsylvania notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before publicly announcing the deaths and that both cases underwent epidemiological review.
The CDC said Thursday it was independently examining whether measles caused the deaths.
Pennsylvania has reported about 424 confirmed measles cases and 73 hospitalizations. State officials say none of those infected were fully vaccinated. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Meanwhile, Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization Kennedy previously led, said it is attempting to identify and contact the deceased patients’ families.
Shapiro accused Kennedy of spreading misleading information and urged him to encourage vaccination as cases continue rising.
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