Measles cases climb in Central Pa. as health officials urge vaccination

Measles cases are surging in Pennsylvania as part of the biggest measles outbreak in the U.S. in 35 years. Most patients are unvaccinated. Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist at UPMC, calls this an outbreak of choice. The last time I'd seen a measles case prior to this year was 1992. Prior to that, it was 1989. In doing this a little over 30 years, I'd seen two measles cases. I think croncast we've had 10 or 20 at UPMC Central in the last couple of months. Pennsylvania's school immunization data shows that about 93% of kindergarten students were fully vaccinated last year. More than half of Pennsylvania's cases are in Lancaster County, where vaccination rates are below the state average. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is recommending an early dose of the vaccine for babies at six months old. and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated for measles. In Harrisburg, I'm Haley O'Brien. WITF News.