Measles outbreak shifts Amish attitudes in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,350 measles cases this year, more than a third of them in Lancaster County. State figures show three deaths in Lancaster County and two in other counties. The outbreak is the nation's worst measles outbreak in 35 years.

Vaccination attitudes shift

The outbreak has prompted many Amish and Mennonite residents to reconsider vaccination. Historically, vaccination rates in these Plain communities have been lower than in the general population, due more to culture and habit than to religious doctrine.

Union Community Care, a nonprofit clinic serving the area, has run mobile outreach and small-scale clinics that have given about 450 measles shots to Plain residents. The clinics also offer infant vaccines earlier than usual, a step health experts advise during outbreaks.

Nationwide, vaccination coverage for kindergarteners has declined. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 92.4% of U.S. kindergarteners received the required MMR shots in 2025‑26, down from 95.2% in 2019‑20. In Pennsylvania, kindergarten MMR rates fell to 93.2% last year, and Lancaster County's rate was 88%. Rising exemptions and hesitancy undermine herd immunity, making outbreaks more likely.

Dr. Diego Hijano of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital said, “We are all interconnected.” Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder urged a united message that vaccines are safe and effective.