Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Disputed
Officials and RFK Jr. sparred over two reported measles deaths in Pennsylvania.
August 27, 2026 · Updated Aug 27, 7:47pm ET
Rolling StoneGov. Shapiro Rebukes RFK Jr. on Measles Vaccine Misinfo After Reported Deaths
ARS TechnicaRFK Jr. goes full anti-vaccine bananas over two measles deaths—one was a newborn
Breitbart NewsNolte: Josh Shapiro’s Great Pennsylvania Measles-Death Hoax Is Unraveling
CNNA war of words followed two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania
NBC NewsCoroner says baby with measles in Pennsylvania died of a ruptured spleen
Western JournalRFK Jr. Fact Checks Democratic Governor Who Claimed 'There Is No Fetal Tissue' in MMR Vaccine
The AtlanticPennsylvania’s Public-Health Officials May Be Wrong About a Measles Death
PoliticoShapiro won’t say who died of measles. RFK Jr. is exploiting it.
TruthoutOz Says Many “Concerned Inappropriately” About Measles After Death of Unvaccinated Baby
The Free PressVinay Prasad: Understanding the Measles Deaths in Pennsylvania
TechdirtTwo Die In Pennsylvania Of Measles Marking The First Deaths Of 2026
46%
Left · 5
36%
Center · 4
18%
Right · 2
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said one of two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania health officials was a newborn who died shortly after birth from a ruptured spleen, not from measles. The state health department recorded the two Lancaster County deaths as Pennsylvania’s first measles-associated fatalities in 35 years and said both patients were unvaccinated, while withholding additional details for privacy reasons. Gov. Josh Shapiro
Josh ShapiroAmerican politician (born 1973) said the deaths were preventable through measles vaccination; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services since 2025 questioned the state’s framing, and Shapiro rebuked him over vaccine statements.
Trump Childhood Vaccine Fight
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Aug 28Pennsylvania Measles Deaths DisputedMostly Right
- Aug 27Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Disputed (this story)Balanced
- Aug 26Pennsylvania Reports Measles DeathsBalanced
- Aug 17CDC Says Kindergarten Exemptions RoseBalanced
- Aug 16Bill Cassidy Slams Trump OrderMostly Left
