What We Know About Measles Deaths In Pennsylvania As RFK Jr. Cries Foul
A political dispute has erupted in Pennsylvania over the classification of two measles-associated deaths, with Governor Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clashing over data transparency. Kennedy has questioned the validity of the deaths, while Shapiro accuses him of spreading vaccine misinformation.
Why it matters
The conflict underscores the deep polarization surrounding public health policy and the role of government officials in communicating medical data.
Topline The deaths of two people in Pennsylvania from what officials said were “measles-associated” causes have become a high-profile political battle between Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., turning a local public health issue into a debate over health data transparency and vaccines.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. in 2025. Getty Images Key Facts Pennsylvania officials on Thursday said an infant and one other person were the state's first measles-related deaths in 35 years and Shapiro went on to accuse Kennedy of contributing by spreading misinformation about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Kennedy then said the “so-called” measles deaths “may have even been altogether fabricated by one of the Governor’s hopeful staffers,” and on Saturday morning said he’d spoken with the “country coroner or the county commissioner,” who told him “there were no measles deaths.”
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