PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With measles cases on the rise, Pennsylvania health officials are advising residents to stay up to date on vaccinations.
The Health Department has recorded 84 confirmed measles cases across the state this year, with the majority in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. All of the cases are either among people who are not fully vaccinated or those with an unknown vaccination status.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is by getting vaccinated.
“People who have been vaccinated, or were born before 1957, or have had the measles in the past, are protected. And nearly 94 percent of Pennsylvania kindergarten students are fully vaccinated against measles,” Bogen said.
The risk to Pennsylvanians remains low because of high vaccination rates. More than 1,300 measles vaccinations have been administered statewide this year through state health centers and pop-up clinics.
Bogen said the health department is also consulting with physicians in the state to ensure they are equipped to identify and treat measles.
Measles cases per county, as of June 26
- Berks County: 2
- Dauphin County: 2
- Lancaster County: 41
- Lebanon County: 20
- Northumberland County: 6
- York County: 1
The majority of cases are in Lancaster and Lebanon counties
The majority of cases are in Lancaster and Lebanon counties
