The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s outbreak map now shows a growing blue area as measles spreads across the state. As of Friday morning, 424 cases have been confirmed, more than half of them concentrated in Lancaster, York and Chester counties.
Local counties see first cases
Westmoreland County recorded its first case on Thursday, while Indiana and Somerset counties reported eight and four cases respectively. No cases have yet been reported in Washington, Greene or Fayette counties, but health officials warn those areas remain vulnerable.
Vaccination gaps threaten herd immunity
State data reveal that kindergarten vaccination rates in several school districts have not reached the 95% level needed for herd immunity. At Carmichaels Area Elementary Center in Greene County, 91.3% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine in the 2025‑26 school year, below the target. The same district also fell short for hepatitis B, polio and DTaP vaccines, though students in seventh and twelfth grades exceed the herd‑immunity threshold.
Clark Elementary School in the Uniontown Area School District reported a 93% kindergarten MMR rate, better than its DTaP (88%) and polio (90%) coverage. In Washington County, Claysville Elementary School’s kindergarten MMR rate stood at 88%.
Exemptions on the rise
Pennsylvania law requires students to be vaccinated unless they obtain a medical, religious or philosophical exemption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted a record number of exemptions nationwide for the 2026‑27 school year, with 4.2% of kindergartners exempted—up from 3.6% the previous year. Medical exemptions accounted for 0.2% of those cases.
In the South Fayette School District, seventh‑grade students fell just below herd immunity for polio and hepatitis B. District spokeswoman Jennifer Donovan said the district follows state protocols and allows medical and religious exemptions.
Health officials stress vaccination
Dr. Thomas Corkery, chief medical officer at AHN Canonsburg Hospital, warned that “people would have to be naive to believe that measles will not eventually infiltrate this area.” The state health department confirmed measles was a factor in two recent deaths.
Charlotte Moser, co‑founder of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said misinformation has led some parents to doubt vaccine safety. She emphasized that diseases like measles and polio remain a threat and that “these pathogens are waiting for the opportunity to come back.” Moser noted the COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted routine immunizations for some families, contributing to lower coverage.
What families can do
Public‑health officials continue to urge parents to ensure their children receive the recommended two‑dose MMR series—first at age one, then at four or five. Achieving a 95% vaccination rate is essential to protect both vaccinated and unvaccinated children in the community.
Local school districts are reviewing their exemption policies and working with health providers to improve access to vaccines. Parents seeking exemptions are encouraged to discuss concerns with medical professionals and consider the broader impact on community health.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
