Since the measles outbreak began in late April, the Department of Health (DOH) continues expanding access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in affected communities – administering nearly 4,800 vaccinations at more than 148 pop-up clinics thus far – and equipped school nurses and health care providers with important clinical guidance as many have never handled a case of measles before. In August, health care providers across Pennsylvania who generally report vaccinations into the state vaccine registry administered more than 46,000 MMR vaccines. That is nearly double the typical 2026 monthly average for Pennsylvania health care providers.

The best protection against measles is getting vaccinated, as the MMR vaccine boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97 percent lifetime protection after two doses.

People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen recently visited West Scranton High School to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing commitment to provide free period products in schools across the Commonwealth, emphasizing that no girl should have to choose between her health and her education.

National studies show that one in four girls struggle to afford period products, and a staggering 23% miss class entirely because they lack access to menstrual hygiene essentials.

With $3 million secured in the 2026-27 state budget, Governor Shapiro has now delivered a total of $9 million over three consecutive budgets for this first-of-its-kind initiative, which removes a significant barrier to learning, ensuring that girls can focus on their schoolwork rather than worrying about unmet basic needs.

The funding was distributed to schools starting on September 14.

Dr. Bogen (fourth from left) joins other speakers at West Scranton High School.

There are more than 17,000 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals diligently and passionately serving throughout Pennsylvania. Every year, those providers respond to more than 2.3 million calls for help. 

An additional $6 million in the 2026-27 budget will help Pennsylvania EMS agencies buy the tools and equipment they need to enhance the quality of care Pennsylvanians receive during times of crisis. The funding brings the total EMS investment since Governor Josh Shapiro took office to more than $79 million.

The EMS Operating Fund money will be distributed through the state’s 13 Regional EMS Councils to purchase modern medical equipment for local agencies. Each EMS regional council evaluates the needs of the agencies in its area to determine how best to utilize the funding. 

During a recent visit to Cetronia Ambulance Corps, an EMS worker demonstrates the video laryngoscope.

The Shapiro Administration recently announced recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, including the multi-agency Bristol Health & Rehab Response Team for their swift response to the December 23, 2025, explosion at Bristol Health & Rehab Center, a 174-bed long-term care facility in Bucks County.

The team’s collective work ensured that by midnight, less than 10 hours after the initial explosion, all displaced residents were relocated to different health care facilities to address their immediate housing and care needs.

The members of the group recognized with the awards are Jason Godin, Christopher Confalone, Jeryl DeGideo, and Carolyn Rivera of the Department of Health (DOH); Devon Heberlig and Randolph Nolen of the Department of Human Services (DHS); Margaret Barajas of the Department of Aging; and Jeffrey Hunsicker and Eric Rickenbach of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

For the first time ever, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is making school-level vaccination data available online through a new interactive tool created by DOH in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

To help cut through online noise about longstanding medical guidance, which is reversing decades of science-backed progress, it’s more important than ever that DOH provide Pennsylvanians with as much accurate information as possible. The new tool makes it easier for parents and community members to view annual vaccination rates at individual schools — not just at the state or county-level like before — boosting transparency and giving families a clearer picture of how well protected their children’s classrooms are.

Powered by data from the 2025-2026 school year, the tool delivers on Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order 2025-02, which safeguards Pennsylvanians’ access to vaccines and ensures families have the facts they need to make informed health care decisions and complements the Commonwealth’s central vaccine resource at pa.gov/vaccines.

September marks global Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is just one of many issues being addressed by Pennsylvania’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) 3.2 team, which strives to improve mental health and substance use outcomes through improved mental health services, trauma informed trainings, and substance use interventions.

The DOH Violence and Injury Prevention Program works to reduce the burden of suicide, address suicide risk factors, and enhance protective factors statewide.

The Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, collects detailed, multi-sourced data on suicides and other violent deaths in Pennsylvania, contributing valuable insights to both state and national prevention strategies.

The overarching goal of coordinated statewide efforts is to expand evidence-based prevention services in high-risk communities, increase public awareness and engagement with crisis and upstream supports, strengthen community capacity to identify and mitigate suicide risk, and ultimately build sustainable cross-sector partnerships that protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations. Addressing modifiable risk factors such as social isolation, community violence, discrimination, unsafe suicide messaging, limited healthcare access, easy access to lethal means, and stigma around help-seeking is essential for meaningful progress seeking (Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide). More information on how communities can establish county-level suicide or overdose fatality review teams is available through the Department’s suicide and overdose fatality review initiative. 

For Immediate Help: Call 988

Throughout the year, the Department of Health publishes reports and dashboards on a variety of public health topics.

Learn more:

September Health Awareness Events

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Pennsylvania Department of Health | 1-877-PA-Health | health.pa.gov

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