Shapiro Calls Kennedy a Quack Over Measles
Pennsylvania's governor blamed vaccine misinformation promoted by the federal health secretary as the state's measles outbreak grows.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in COVID-19
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a quack conspiracy theorist in an interview broadcast Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation. The state has recorded 1,426 confirmed measles cases across 44 counties in 2026, along with five measles-associated deaths and 268 hospitalizations.
Why it matters
Shapiro attributes the spread of measles to vaccine misinformation and has called on President Donald Trump to remove Kennedy. For Pennsylvania residents, the dispute highlights the importance of consulting medical providers for accurate vaccine information.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health's October 30 update records 1,426 confirmed measles cases across 44 counties in 2026, with 28 added since October 28. Only four infections involved vaccinated individuals, fewer than 1% of the total, and it remains unclear how CDC recognition of the state's five deaths will affect reported figures.
The players
Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania's governor, who has publicly criticized the federal health secretary over his stance on childhood vaccines and the state's measles response.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has long questioned childhood vaccines, including the MMR vaccine.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
The state agency responsible for tracking the measles outbreak and requesting federal emergency support.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The federal public health agency that assigned an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer to assist Pennsylvania through November 6, 2026.
The details
Shapiro made the remarks during an appearance on CBS' Face the Nation, urging residents to consult medical providers for vaccine information. In September the state health department requested emergency CDC support on condition that the agency recognise the Pennsylvania measles-related deaths, and a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer arrived October 16 to assist with epidemiological modelling.
Timeline
Late April 2026: The measles outbreak began in Pennsylvania.
September 2026: The state requested emergency CDC support.
October 16, 2026: A CDC officer arrived to assist with modelling.
October 30, 2026: The state recorded 1,426 confirmed cases.
November 1, 2026: Shapiro's remarks aired on Face the Nation.
Big Picture
Pennsylvania's outbreak follows the pattern of the 2019 U.S. measles resurgence, which the CDC reported as the largest in decades and linked to declining childhood vaccination coverage. The state's dispute with federal health leadership now places that same vaccination debate at the center of its response.
Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to consult their medical providers about vaccine status, particularly as confirmed cases continue to rise across 44 counties. Lancaster County has reported three measles-associated deaths, including two infants, underscoring the stakes for families with young children.
The takeaway
Staying current on recommended vaccinations and speaking with a medical provider remains the most direct step Pennsylvania residents can take as the outbreak continues. The state's experience shows how quickly vaccine gaps can translate into serious illness and hospitalizations.
Further reading
For broader context on the disease, see COVID-19 coverage across Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Business Times UK.
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