In Today’s Episode...
Measles cases are surging: Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,200 infections, while New York is expanding vaccination access to prevent a similar outbreak.
Two states, two approaches: CBS 21 reporter Andrew Klein and CNY Central anchor Megan Coleman explain how their states are responding and why the death toll has become a political dispute.
Good morning.
Pennsylvania is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with infections concentrated in communities where vaccination rates are lower.
CBS 21 reporter Andrew Klein says the outbreak started slowly, with just 12 cases between January and March, before accelerating over the summer. Lancaster County alone has reported more than 400 cases.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,222 cases and five confirmed measles-associated deaths as of October 14, with a sixth death under investigation.
In response, Pennsylvania has expanded vaccination access through pop-up clinics, particularly in communities experiencing large outbreaks.
Klein says residents understand the seriousness of the situation, but many aren’t panicking. After visiting a grocery store where a measles exposure had been reported, he heard one shopper offer a striking assessment.
“‘We’ve all probably been exposed,’ was the exact quote I got from somebody.”
Klein says people he has interviewed generally feel reassured if they’ve been vaccinated, although some worry that continued infections could eventually require additional precautions.
New York has taken a different approach. Despite reporting roughly one-tenth as many cases as Pennsylvania at the time of the interview, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency in early October.
The emergency order expands who can administer MMR vaccines, including pharmacists, emergency medical personnel and midwives, while also making it easier for local health departments to respond.
CNY Central anchor Megan Coleman says New York officials are trying to avoid what happened in Pennsylvania.
“New York saw what was coming from Pennsylvania and just took an aggressive approach to try to contain the virus as it continued to spread.”
The outbreak has also created a political dispute between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pennsylvania has confirmed five measles-related deaths and is investigating a sixth, while the CDC has counted only two measles deaths nationally.
The federal government now requires additional confirmation that measles was an underlying cause of death before including it in the national tally. Klein says the dispute is controversial, but the people he’s interviewed are more concerned about protecting themselves and their families.
“I think a lot of people want to stay away from the politics of this. They want to focus on the disease.”
That’s the briefing for today.
Should states declare emergencies when measles cases spike? And should Washington take a larger role in responding to these outbreaks?
Join the conversation and tell us what you think.
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