Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak Shifts Vaccine Views Amid NICU Alerts

WHO:

Inquirer.com - Roberta Devers, a traditional midwife in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has been practicing for 38 years.

Inquirer.com - Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is involved in the response to the measles outbreak.

Inquirer.com - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Health and Human Services secretary under President Trump.

NBC10 Philadelphia - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is involved in addressing possible measles exposure.

WHAT:

Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, with 731 reported cases in 38 counties.

Inquirer.com - The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of two Amish infants and two adults, marking the first measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania in over three decades.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Four measles-related deaths and 693 confirmed cases have been reported in Pennsylvania in 2026.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Health officials are administering a "preventative antibody product" to infants in CHOP's NICU to prevent measles.

WHERE:

Inquirer.com - The outbreak is centered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which has the highest number of known cases.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Possible measles exposure occurred at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, specifically at NICU West, the Family Lounge, the CHOP Atrium, and the Main Cafeteria.

WHEN:

Inquirer.com - The measles outbreak began in April.

Inquirer.com - The deaths of the two local Amish infants were reported recently.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Possible measles exposure at CHOP occurred on Friday, Sept. 11, at various times throughout the day.

WHY:

Inquirer.com - The outbreak is linked to a rising number of people in Pennsylvania refusing vaccinations due to unfounded safety concerns.

Inquirer.com - Devers believes that the Amish community cannot wait to reach herd immunity due to the outbreak's severity.

HOW:

Inquirer.com - Traditional midwives like Devers are advocating for the ability to administer vaccines to their patients.

NBC10 Philadelphia - The Department of Health is working to ensure that infants in the NICU receive preventative measures against measles.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 18:05 UTC)

Pennsylvania is currently facing its largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, with 731 reported cases across 38 counties, and tragically, four measles-related deaths have been confirmed, including two Amish infants. Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is actively involved in the response, while the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is addressing possible exposure that occurred on September 11 at various locations within the facility. Traditional midwife Roberta Devers, who has been practicing for 38 years, is advocating for the ability to administer vaccines to her patients, as health officials work to provide preventative measures to infants in the NICU.