Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro publicly rebuked HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after two additional measles-associated deaths raised the state's total to four — the first such fatalities in 35 years. Shapiro blamed falling vaccination rates and accused the secretary of undermining public health by promoting vaccine skepticism and allegedly directing the CDC not to report the Pennsylvania deaths. State officials report 693 measles cases in Pennsylvania in 2026 across 38 counties; nationally, five measles-related deaths have been confirmed since 2025.
Pennsylvania Governor Blasts HHS Secretary RFK Jr. After Two More Measles Deaths as State Faces Major Outbreak
UNITED STATES – APRIL 22: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies during the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing titled "FY2027 Department of Health and Human Services Budget," in Dirksen building on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. |Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sharply criticized Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday after state officials reported two additional measles-associated deaths, bringing the state's total to four — the first measles fatalities in the Commonwealth in 35 years.
What Happened
In a post on X, Shapiro said the commonwealth has recorded four measles-associated deaths and described the situation as Pennsylvania "experiencing the worst measles outbreak in the country." He warned that falling vaccination rates have contributed to the resurgence of a disease declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
“These are tragedies, and four families are grieving,” Shapiro wrote. He added that "this serious situation continues to be made worse by RFK Jr. playing games with public health and safety."
Allegations of Interference
Shapiro also alleged that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. personally intervened in what would otherwise have been an administrative process, directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to report the Pennsylvania deaths. The governor characterized that action as an apparent attempt to shield a narrative promoted by the secretary.
Numbers and Scope
State officials reported 693 confirmed measles cases in 2026 across 38 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Nationally, authorities say there have been five confirmed measles-related deaths since 2025 — three CDC-confirmed deaths in 2025 and two in 2026. Shapiro noted that measles-linked deaths since RFK Jr. took office in 2025 have surpassed totals recorded in the previous 20 years combined.
Photo caption: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on April 22, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Note: This is a breaking news story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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