Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has grown to 767 confirmed cases and four deaths, prompting pediatricians across the Philadelphia region to offer early vaccinations to young children.

At Drexel Hill Pediatrics in Springfield, Pa., staff members are contacting families to offer early first doses of the measles vaccine to infants as young as 6 months old, along with early second doses for toddlers, 6abc Philadelphia reported Friday, Sept. 18. The practice sits about 20 miles from Cherry Hill.

"With the outbreak, we're able to give those doses earlier," Dr. Matthew McCarthy, a pediatrician at the practice, said.

The outreach follows guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which is recommending measles vaccinations for infants younger than the standard vaccination age. McCarthy said the first dose provides about 93% protection, with the second dose reaching 97% or higher. Fewer than 1% of Pennsylvania's 767 confirmed cases occurred in vaccinated people.

The numbers are stark. Pennsylvania reported 36 new cases in just two days leading up to its Sept. 18 update, according to Medical Daily. The outbreak, which began in late April, has spread across 38 of the state's 67 counties. About 150 people have been hospitalized. Two of the four deaths involved infants, and nearly a third of the state's cases have been in children under 18, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Those four deaths are the most measles-associated fatalities in the nation in more than three decades.

The outbreak has already touched places Cherry Hill families visit. A person with measles traveled through Philadelphia International Airport the evening of Sept. 13 into the early morning of Sept. 14, passing through Terminals B and F and connecting areas in C, D and E, NBC Philadelphia reported. Anyone potentially exposed who develops symptoms through Oct. 5 should contact a doctor. A separate exposure was identified Sept. 11 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), including in a neonatal intensive care unit, a family lounge, an atrium and a cafeteria.

Closer to home, New Jersey's own vaccination rates are slipping. The state's school immunization compliance rate fell to 91.3% for the 2024–25 school year, the lowest in eight years, according to NJ Spotlight News. The number of unvaccinated kindergartners in New Jersey jumped roughly 130% between 2017–18 and 2024–25, to about 7,500, NJ Spotlight News reported in August. Community immunity generally requires coverage above 95%.

Nationally, the CDC reported 3,471 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of Sept. 17. Kindergarten MMR vaccination coverage has dropped from 95.2% in the 2019–20 school year to 92.4% in 2025–26, leaving roughly 280,000 kindergartners at risk.

Dr. Hazel Guinto, chair of pediatrics at Main Line Health, said the situation may worsen with children back in school and more opportunities to congregate. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, measles is highly contagious and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Pennsylvania has requested CDC assistance to manage the outbreak, PennLive reported. State health officials have administered nearly 4,800 MMR doses at 148 pop-up clinics since the outbreak began and more than 6,900 doses at state health centers in 2026.

Residents who suspect measles symptoms should call ahead before visiting any medical facility so staff can prepare and prevent further exposure. Pennsylvania residents can also call the Department of Health hotline at 877-724-3258.