PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is notifying the public of a probable measles exposure at CHOP, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the following locations and times within the hospital.

    • CHOP NICU West: 9:30 am to 4:15 pm
    • CHOP NICU West Family Lounge: 9:30 am to 4:15 pm
    • CHOP Atrium: 9:30 am to 4:15 pm
    • CHOP Main Cafeteria: 12:05 pm – 2:45 pm

CHOP, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and PDPH are working closely to ensure potentially exposed infants receive a preventative antibody product to prevent or lessen severe disease and to take steps to prevent the further spread of measles. PDPH is encouraging people who were exposed to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. People who aren’t protected against measles can get the virus up to two hours after someone else with measles left the same room or airspace. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by rash. In some people, it can be a very serious infection that leads to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.

“We encourage people to get vaccinated not only to protect themselves, but to protect those who cannot get vaccinated. This is why it is imperative that everyone who is eligible gets up to date on the vaccines they need so we can protect our most vulnerable,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson. “We do not believe that these exposures constitute a broad risk to Philadelphians, since the vast majority of us are fully protected due to our being vaccinated. Given the ongoing outbreaks in Pennsylvania and other places, it is imperative that everyone who is not up to date on their MMR vaccine gets their vaccine as soon as possible. Remember, this is not just about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting our most vulnerable Philadelphians.”

The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective and is the best way to avoid serious complications of a vaccine-preventable disease. MMR vaccine is routinely recommended for patients 12–15 months with a second dose given at age 4–6 years. Infants under 12 months are not routinely eligible for the vaccine and are not protected. An early first dose of MMR (dose 0) is recommended for infants 6–11 months of age before travel to areas with measles, including Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, Dauphin, Northumberland, and York counties in PA. Any child with planned international travel should also receive an early dose of MMR. An early second dose of MMR should be given to children 12 months through 4 years before they travel to areas with measles, including parts of PA, as well as before any international travel and at least 28 days after the previous dose. To learn where you can get a vaccine, please visit phila.gov/measles.

The Health Department recommends the following:

  1. Anyone possibly exposed to the measles case should follow the steps below to determine if you are protected from measles, and symptoms to look out for if you are not protected.
  2. Determine if you are protected against measles. Generally, you are considered protected (immune) if you were:
    • Born before 1957, or
    • Have already had measles, or
    • Have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (usually given as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine).
      • Look at your vaccination records or ask your healthcare provider to see if you have already had two doses of this vaccine.
      • If you have only received one dose of measles-containing vaccine, your risk of measles following this exposure is low. Discuss getting the second dose of the vaccine with your healthcare provider.

If you are protected from measles, you do not have to do anything. MMR vaccines are extremely effective at preventing measles.

  1. If you are not protected from measles, you should receive a dose of MMR vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn how you can get this vaccine.
  2. Those who are under 12 months of age, pregnant and not immune, or are immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) should consult with their healthcare provider as soon as possible. Management of exposure to measles may be different with these conditions.
  3. Measles is contagious for 4 days before to 4 days after rash starts. If you are not immune and may have been exposed, you could give measles to someone at high risk before developing rash. To prevent that from happening, please wear a mask in indoor public spaces and around anyone who is unvaccinated until 3 weeks after the exposure.
  4. If you are not immune and may have been exposed, and you develop any symptoms through October 2, 2026 that appear like measles, contact your doctor immediately. The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by rash. Tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to measles. You should also notify your local health department (Philadelphia: 215-685-6740) or the state health department at 877-724-3258 for residents of other counties in Pennsylvania if you develop measles symptoms.

For more information about measles, visit the CDC’s webpage on measles. The Health Department will post any updates on exposures on phila.gov/measles as needed.

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