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HealthQuiet 7d · day 8

Fourth measles death in Pennsylvania marks record US toll as vaccinations decline

The nation records its highest measles death toll in decades, prompting HHS nominee to endorse vaccination while health secretary has downplayed the disease.

newest coverage 6d agosummary written 7d ago4 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • The U.S. recorded four measles deaths in 2026, the highest toll in decades, as vaccination rates decline nationally.
  • Measles cases hit record levels in 2026, surpassing any year since 1991; the nation is poised to lose its elimination status in November.
  • HHS deputy secretary nominee Chris Klomp strongly endorsed MMR vaccination as essential to regain elimination status, but his boss, HHS Secretary Kennedy, is a longtime vaccine skeptic.
  • Global measles is resurging; at least 19 countries have lost elimination status, and low-income countries account for 95% of the estimated 95,000 annual measles deaths worldwide.

“We've seen vaccination rates dropping all over the world, not just the United States.”

Chris Klomp, HHS deputy secretary nominee · KEYT-TV / CNN ↗

Chris Klomp HHS deputy secretary nomineeRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HHS Secretary

Fourth measles death in Pennsylvania marks record US toll as vaccinations decline
keyt.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles

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Sep 17Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 5:46 AM ET
  1. upcoming

    U.S. measles elimination status to be reassessed — The United States is poised to lose its measles elimination status, officially declared in 2000, when the status is reassessed in November 2026.

  2. 1

    HHS nominee Klomp endorses MMR vaccine in Senate hearing

    Chris Klomp, nominee for deputy secretary of HHS, testified before the Senate Finance Committee that the MMR vaccine is the most effective tool against measles and necessary to regain the U.S. elimination status.

    “Unquestionably, the MMR vaccine is the single most effective public health tool that we have against measles. It's 97% effective after two doses to preventing transmission.”
    — Chris Klomp
  3. background

    Fourth measles death announced in Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania announced a fourth measles death in 2026, marking the first time in decades the United States has recorded multiple measles deaths in a single year.

  4. background

    Measles cases reach record levels in 2026 — By July 2026, the U.S. recorded more measles cases than in any year since 1991, making it the second consecutive record-breaking year.

  5. background

    Three measles deaths recorded in 2025 — The previous year saw three measles deaths, breaking a decade-long stretch without fatalities from the disease.

  6. background

    Last measles death in U.S. before recent resurgence — A Washington state woman died from measles. The U.S. then went years without any measles deaths until last year.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets How common are measles deaths in the United States as vaccination rates fall?

    first by CNN, 6d ago · also KEYT-TV, Yahoo News Singapore