Story perspectives

Pennsylvania Dispute Erupts Over Measles-Linked Infant Deaths

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pennsylvania officials classified two unvaccinated infant deaths as measles-associated, sparking partisan dispute.
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said the newborn died from a ruptured spleen, not measles.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said lab evidence linked the deaths to measles.
Governor Josh Shapiro blamed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading vaccine misinformation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested the deaths might have been fabricated by a governor staffer.

History

Historical Context

Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 Lancet paper falsely linking MMR to autism triggered a sharp fall in UK MMR coverage—from 92 % in 1996 to 84 % by 2002—and a rise in measles cases to 449 in early 2006. Decades later, Pennsylvania health secretary Debra Bogen and Governor Josh Shapiro confront anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over infant measles deaths.

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Story summary

Pennsylvania officials classified two unvaccinated infant deaths as measles-associated, sparking partisan dispute.
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said the newborn died from a ruptured spleen, not measles.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said lab evidence linked the deaths to measles.
Governor Josh Shapiro blamed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading vaccine misinformation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested the deaths might have been fabricated by a governor staffer.

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