Two Unvaccinated Pennsylvania Residents Die from Measles, First US Measles Deaths in 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported two measles-associated deaths in the state. Both individuals were unvaccinated, making these the first measles deaths in the United States for 2026 and the first in Pennsylvania in more than three decades.

Last year the country recorded three measles deaths, two of them children. Health officials note that adult fatalities are becoming more common as the disease resurfaces.

The newsletter also noted the recent passing of Dolly Parton, a longtime supporter of scientific research, including the Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine. Her death was widely mourned in the newsroom.

In a broader context, the edition highlighted that health‑care costs continue to rise even at large companies, underscoring ongoing financial pressures in the sector.