Pennsylvania's health secretary is pushing back on a suggestion from President Donald Trump's top health official that the state may have "fabricated" measles deaths "for political gain."
Dr. Debra Bogen confirmed the two deaths were associated with measles. She said her department "thoroughly investigated and verified" both people -- including a newborn -- tested positive for it.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused Gov. Josh Shapiro of weaponizing infectious disease fears. Shapiro said he told Kennedy the state had all the resources needed to respond to the measles outbreak.
The governor wrote on X: "What would be most helpful is if he would join me in encouraging people to get vaccinated and stop spreading misinformation."
Kennedy has long questioned the safety of vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific consensus to the contrary. At an event on childhood health in Tampa, the health secretary urged people to get the measles vaccination.
(Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
Aug 27, 2026
