Harrisburg, Pa. − August 31, 2026 − On Monday, Senator Maria Collett, RN, Rep. Arvind Venkat, MD, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, RN, and Rep. Tarik Khan, CRNP hosted a virtual Town Hall event to discuss Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak and encourage families to protect themselves and their neighbors by getting vaccinated.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported 497 measles cases in 2026, with 100 new cases in the last 7 days. Last week, the department announced the first measles-associated deaths in the Commonwealth in 35 years.
“Sadly, this outbreak is being politicized, misinformation is being spread, and folks are losing sight of the bigger picture,” said Collett. “As vaccination rates have decreased over the last few years, our Commonwealth has become increasingly vulnerable to an infectious disease that had been nearly eradicated. As healthcare professionals, we have a simple message: measles is highly contagious, dangerous, and preventable. Vaccination protects vulnerable Pennsylvanians and gives us the best opportunity to stop this outbreak and keep our children and our communities safe and healthy.”
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles infection. Reported measles cases in the United States dropped by approximately 98% after widespread vaccination began in the 1960s.
“Pennsylvania and the nation are experiencing its largest measles outbreak in many years,” said Venkat. “This outbreak is growing rapidly and resulting in up to 20% of those affected to be hospitalized and a small, but significant percentage of individuals affected to experience serious complications, including death, that have likely occurred already. The good news is that we can stop this outbreak with the MMR vaccine that has an over 60-year track record of safety and effectiveness at protecting individuals and stopping community transmission. The alternative is continued rapid spread of measles and preventable suffering. I am happy to join my fellow health professional legislators in addressing the measles outbreak and counseling our fellow Pennsylvanians on how we can respond safely and effectively.”
“Getting vaccinated won’t just protect your life and your livelihood, but the lives of everyone you encounter,” Kosierowski said. “I received chemotherapy today to treat my breast cancer alongside other Pennsylvanians undergoing cancer treatment. Measles exposure would have catastrophic consequences on us due to our compromised immune systems. It’s our job as your representatives to ensure you are safe. That’s why I am speaking out against misinformation about vaccines. They are safe and they will save your life against devastating diseases like measles.”
“I became a nurse because I wanted to help people, and I continue that in my public service as a state representative. It’s important for people to trust their healthcare providers and to separate fact from fiction, especially when facts and science are under attack by outside actors. The reality is the benefits of vaccines far, far outweigh the risks,” said Khan. “That’s why this conversation is so important, especially at this moment. People need to talk to their doctors and healthcare professionals, to have these discussions with trusted, knowledgeable sources, and not get their medical advice from the news, or Washington.”
For more information about measles symptoms, the MMR vaccine, and the latest reported cases in Pennsylvania, visit PA’s Measles Dashboard.