US Health Officials Clash with Pennsylvania Over Measles Deaths

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed two measles-related deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its national tally, a move directed by the agency's director, according to multiple US media outlets.

The decision comes as the US records its highest number of measles cases in 35 years, raising concerns about the Trump administration's response to the outbreak.

Dr. Erica Schwartz, who became CDC director in August, ordered the removal of the two deaths from the agency's weekly measles update, current and former officials told outlets including The New York Times.

Earlier, the CDC had added the two cases to its national measles death tracker, but subsequently removed them and posted a notice saying it was reviewing additional information about the cases.

"At this time, available information does not identify measles as the cause of death, or contributing to the cause of death, or whether these individuals died from other causes while infected with measles," the CDC website said on Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced on August 25 that two unvaccinated residents in Lancaster County had died in cases classified as "measles-related." These were the state's first such deaths in 35 years.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones facing this unimaginable loss," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Debra Bogen said in a statement. "As a physician, I want people to understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and is the best protection we have against measles."

The CDC's change comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who publicly questioned vaccines before taking office, raised doubts about the two Pennsylvania deaths last week. On social media platform X, Kennedy suggested the state's announcement "could be entirely fabricated by an ambitious governor's staffer."

Speaking on Fox News on Saturday, Kennedy said he wanted the Department of Health and Human Services to shift resources from infectious diseases to chronic conditions and food-related deaths. "Populist politicians constantly try to frighten us about infectious diseases, while we ignore chronic diseases caused by big food companies and big pharmaceutical companies," he said.

The CDC's decision has raised concerns that the Trump administration may continue to interfere with state public health assessments. Pennsylvania has pushed back, insisting it fully reported to the CDC and that state epidemiologists thoroughly investigated both cases.

Health experts have questioned several Trump administration health policies since he began his second term in January 2025. Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order to alter the recommended childhood immunization schedule and split the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots, using the false argument that the combined vaccine could be deadly. Leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), warned that splitting the doses could create unnecessary barriers and increase the number of unvaccinated children.