The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced a second possible measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport over the weekend. An individual with confirmed measles moved through Terminals B and F, as well as connecting corridors in Terminals C, D and E, between 7:25 p.m. ET on Sept. 13 and 12:05 a.m. ET on Sept. 14. The person remained inside the airport and did not exit the premises, officials said.
Why Vaccination Matters
“This week’s measles exposures are a reminder of how important it is for all of us to be up to date on our vaccinations,” said Dr. Palak Raval‑Nelson, health commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “Every Philadelphian who is fully vaccinated has little to fear from the situation at the airport. Even more importantly, every one of those people is doing their part to help protect our most vulnerable from measles.”
Statewide Context
Measles cases continue to rise across Pennsylvania. As of Friday, the state health department recorded 767 cases this year, including 150 hospitalizations and four measles‑associated deaths. The last time the United States reported four measles deaths in a single year was 1992; Texas reported two deaths last year and New Mexico one.
Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 3,000 confirmed measles cases in 2026, spanning 45 states and Washington, D.C. The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years. One dose is about 93 % effective; two doses raise effectiveness to roughly 97 %.
Vaccination Rates Slip Slightly
Recent CDC data show a modest decline in school‑age vaccination coverage. During the 2025‑2026 school year, 92.4 % of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine, down from 95.2 % in the 2019‑2020 school year before the COVID‑19 pandemic. Health officials attribute the dip to pandemic‑related disruptions and call for renewed community outreach.
What Parents and Travelers Should Do
Philadelphia residents and travelers passing through the airport are urged to verify their vaccination status. The health department advises anyone unsure of their MMR record to consult their primary care provider or local pharmacy. Quick access to vaccination clinics remains available throughout the city, and many schools continue to offer catch‑up immunizations.
Because the exposed individual did not leave the airport, the risk to the broader public is limited. Nonetheless, the Department of Public Health will continue monitoring the situation and will notify anyone who may have had close contact, following standard public‑health protocols.
Community Support
Local churches, civic groups, and family organizations have pledged to assist with vaccine education and outreach, reinforcing the community’s commitment to protect children and seniors from preventable disease. By working together, Philadelphia can keep the spread of measles under control while safeguarding the health of its most vulnerable citizens.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
