By LINDA BOYLE
Sept. 26, 2026 – The State of New York is going after the Amish for not vaccinating their school age children. Bear in mind the Amish do not take federal or state funds for their children’s education, nor do their children attend public schools. They attend small, one-room schools. But because of an edict by then Governor Andrew Coumo in 2019 about mandatory vaccines for school aged children, at least three of these Amish schools have been fined $118,000.
The government says it knows what’s best for these children despite the First Amendment’s Freedom of Religion protections. That court case is on its way to the US Supreme Court which will hopefully hear it.
The 25,000 Amish living in New York have threatened to pack up their buggies and move to Pennsylvania.
However recent events demonstrated that may not be a go-to-plan.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released a statement that two unvaccinated residents of the Commonwealth died from “measles-associated deaths.”
On August 25, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed these deaths in a press conference at Lancaster General Health’s Women and Babies Hospital in Lancaster. Shapiro stated, “If you’re fully vaccinated, you’re not getting the measles.” Shapiro further stated that these deaths were completely preventable.
I realize Shapiro is not a doctor; however, when making such broad-based statements as a trusted public figure, he should research the data and the history of the disease. It would also behoove him to know the age of the children and when MMR vaccines are recommended.
Firstly, in 1989 there was a huge nationwide outbreak of measles among the vaxxed. This led to the recommendation to have a second MMR booster when the child is 11 or 12 years old. So, that first MMR shot did not prevent you from getting measles. Its ability to protect had faded with age.
Secondly, getting the MMR shot does not mean you won’t get the measles. Granted, your chance of getting measles is lowered but no vaccine is 100 percent effective.
But what about the first two cases in Pennsylvania? Those that Gov. Shapiro said children died because they weren’t vaccinated?
Both cases were babies who were a month old or younger. Neither died from the measles but with the measles, and neither was old enough to receive the recommended MMR vaccine.
The first was a newborn with a lacerated spleen. For some reason, they tested the baby for measles after the death. The cause of death was not measles. The New York Times touted that an unnamed Pennsylvania “state health official” still called the death “measles associated” since “the spleen can become enlarged in response to a measles infection, making it more vulnerable to injury and rupture.”
That sounds “plausible” until you read what forensic pathologist Dr. Diamantoni said. He “did not feel the spleen was enlarged or inflamed or showed any evidence of infection from measles.”
The second child that died was one month old. Again, the baby was not at the age to receive an MMR vaccine even if the parents had wanted it. This baby died from Amish-related lethal microcephaly. This genetic condition occurs in one out of 500 newborns in the Old Order Amish population of Pennsylvania. Babies born with this disorder have especially small heads and undeveloped brains and generally live for only six months. Children with this condition usually die from a viral infection.
In a separate article, the New York Times acknowledged that the CDC evaluated these two cases and correctly stated there have been no deaths from measles this year. How did the CDC determine that? The CDC only counts these deaths from measles when measles is the cause of death or on the death certificate.
On September 13, 2026, two more cases were reported in Pennsylvania. The report did not specify if these were the Amish—just among the unvaccinated. One involved a 40-year-old woman who contracted measles from a neighbor. This woman had hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was on continuous oxygen therapy. The coroner said she had been stable and said this was a measles associated death.
The DOH did not include the woman’s death in its Sept. 14, 2026 update on the state’s ongoing measles outbreak. The update also noted that four of the state’s 693 cases have been among vaccinated individuals.
The report stated that an 18-year-old died “due to complications of measles.” Specifically, the coroner noted that the teen’s cause of death was acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare and severe neurological complication of measles that causes inflammation in the brain.
Yes, measles can cause this rare disorder. It almost always occurs in people with a weakened immune system. That was not identified as a condition with this teenage death. More information will be coming out as the data are further analyzed. Of interest, the CDC stated there have been three published reports of this complication happening to people who are vaccinated. In these cases, encephalitis developed between 4 and 9 months after MMR vaccination. In one case the measles vaccine strain was identified as the cause.
On Sept. 23, the CDC measles surveillance page shows an asterisk with only one recorded death in 2026. The accompanying note says, “This number is subject to change; CDC will update its reporting as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed.” It did not identify which death it was.
In asking for Federal funds to help the state (Epi Aid) with its measles outbreak, the Pennsylvania DOH is demanded that the CDC recognize the four measles-associated deaths reported by the state. Pennsylvania secretary of health Debra Bogen said, “The CDC’s choice not to publicly recognize the deaths undermines our response,” Bogen wrote. “For this reason, if CDC is unable to transparently and accurately communicate information about those measles-associated deaths, the Department will respectfully rescind our request for CDC Epi-Aid.”
Pennsylvania is also talking about dropping down the age for the first MMR to a one month old child.
The Pennsylvania DOH wants to broaden state health officials’ authority to prevent and manage infectious disease outbreaks. That would include allowing minors to consent to vaccination without parental consent. The health officials would know which children are unvaxxed and would speak to the children privately at school about vaccinations. The parents are left out of the discussion.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a bill that would mandate anyone seeking a religious exemption from vaccines to meet with a provider to discuss. The bill goes on further to state this would be a yearly requirement. I am not sure why. Do people change their religious beliefs against vaccines on a yearly basis? Why does religious freedom apply to spewing hate against other religions but not to individual rights to decide on vaccination?
To vaccinate or not vaccinate. There are reasons to vaccinate for some and not for others. Each decision should be made between the parent and the provider, and religious exemptions should be allowed. Dr. Bob Sears, a 30-year practicing pediatrician, will give you the information you need to take care of your family. The state does not own your children—parental rights are sacred to our Constitution.
Come join us on Oct 3, at the UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium from 0830 to 6 pm for our annual Alaskans4PersonalFreedom conference. Where else can you hear Outside experts for a mere $60?
Register here.
Our theme this year is “Beyond the Narrative: Go Beyond the Headlines.” The subjects include healthcare, newer off-label treatments for various diagnoses, the effect of Artificial Intelligence in our K12 schools, and geoengineering.
I hope to see you there and spread the word of freedom to your friends and neighbors.
Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance/Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom.
Home » Linda Boyle: Government attack on Amish — an attack on religion or healthcare choice?
Linda Boyle: Government attack on Amish — an attack on religion or healthcare choice?
By LINDA BOYLE
Sept. 26, 2026 – The State of New York is going after the Amish for not vaccinating their school age children. Bear in mind the Amish do not take federal or state funds for their children’s education, nor do their children attend public schools. They attend small, one-room schools. But because of an edict by then Governor Andrew Coumo in 2019 about mandatory vaccines for school aged children, at least three of these Amish schools have been fined $118,000.
The government says it knows what’s best for these children despite the First Amendment’s Freedom of Religion protections. That court case is on its way to the US Supreme Court which will hopefully hear it.
The 25,000 Amish living in New York have threatened to pack up their buggies and move to Pennsylvania.
However recent events demonstrated that may not be a go-to-plan.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health released a statement that two unvaccinated residents of the Commonwealth died from “measles-associated deaths.”
On August 25, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed these deaths in a press conference at Lancaster General Health’s Women and Babies Hospital in Lancaster. Shapiro stated, “If you’re fully vaccinated, you’re not getting the measles.” Shapiro further stated that these deaths were completely preventable.
I realize Shapiro is not a doctor; however, when making such broad-based statements as a trusted public figure, he should research the data and the history of the disease. It would also behoove him to know the age of the children and when MMR vaccines are recommended.
Firstly, in 1989 there was a huge nationwide outbreak of measles among the vaxxed. This led to the recommendation to have a second MMR booster when the child is 11 or 12 years old. So, that first MMR shot did not prevent you from getting measles. Its ability to protect had faded with age.
Secondly, getting the MMR shot does not mean you won’t get the measles. Granted, your chance of getting measles is lowered but no vaccine is 100 percent effective.
But what about the first two cases in Pennsylvania? Those that Gov. Shapiro said children died because they weren’t vaccinated?
Both cases were babies who were a month old or younger. Neither died from the measles but with the measles, and neither was old enough to receive the recommended MMR vaccine.
The first was a newborn with a lacerated spleen. For some reason, they tested the baby for measles after the death. The cause of death was not measles. The New York Times touted that an unnamed Pennsylvania “state health official” still called the death “measles associated” since “the spleen can become enlarged in response to a measles infection, making it more vulnerable to injury and rupture.”
That sounds “plausible” until you read what forensic pathologist Dr. Diamantoni said. He “did not feel the spleen was enlarged or inflamed or showed any evidence of infection from measles.”
The second child that died was one month old. Again, the baby was not at the age to receive an MMR vaccine even if the parents had wanted it. This baby died from Amish-related lethal microcephaly. This genetic condition occurs in one out of 500 newborns in the Old Order Amish population of Pennsylvania. Babies born with this disorder have especially small heads and undeveloped brains and generally live for only six months. Children with this condition usually die from a viral infection.
In a separate article, the New York Times acknowledged that the CDC evaluated these two cases and correctly stated there have been no deaths from measles this year. How did the CDC determine that? The CDC only counts these deaths from measles when measles is the cause of death or on the death certificate.
On September 13, 2026, two more cases were reported in Pennsylvania. The report did not specify if these were the Amish—just among the unvaccinated. One involved a 40-year-old woman who contracted measles from a neighbor. This woman had hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was on continuous oxygen therapy. The coroner said she had been stable and said this was a measles associated death.
The DOH did not include the woman’s death in its Sept. 14, 2026 update on the state’s ongoing measles outbreak. The update also noted that four of the state’s 693 cases have been among vaccinated individuals.
The report stated that an 18-year-old died “due to complications of measles.” Specifically, the coroner noted that the teen’s cause of death was acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare and severe neurological complication of measles that causes inflammation in the brain.
Yes, measles can cause this rare disorder. It almost always occurs in people with a weakened immune system. That was not identified as a condition with this teenage death. More information will be coming out as the data are further analyzed. Of interest, the CDC stated there have been three published reports of this complication happening to people who are vaccinated. In these cases, encephalitis developed between 4 and 9 months after MMR vaccination. In one case the measles vaccine strain was identified as the cause.
On Sept. 23, the CDC measles surveillance page shows an asterisk with only one recorded death in 2026. The accompanying note says, “This number is subject to change; CDC will update its reporting as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed.” It did not identify which death it was.
In asking for Federal funds to help the state (Epi Aid) with its measles outbreak, the Pennsylvania DOH is demanded that the CDC recognize the four measles-associated deaths reported by the state. Pennsylvania secretary of health Debra Bogen said, “The CDC’s choice not to publicly recognize the deaths undermines our response,” Bogen wrote. “For this reason, if CDC is unable to transparently and accurately communicate information about those measles-associated deaths, the Department will respectfully rescind our request for CDC Epi-Aid.”
Pennsylvania is also talking about dropping down the age for the first MMR to a one month old child.
The Pennsylvania DOH wants to broaden state health officials’ authority to prevent and manage infectious disease outbreaks. That would include allowing minors to consent to vaccination without parental consent. The health officials would know which children are unvaxxed and would speak to the children privately at school about vaccinations. The parents are left out of the discussion.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a bill that would mandate anyone seeking a religious exemption from vaccines to meet with a provider to discuss. The bill goes on further to state this would be a yearly requirement. I am not sure why. Do people change their religious beliefs against vaccines on a yearly basis? Why does religious freedom apply to spewing hate against other religions but not to individual rights to decide on vaccination?
To vaccinate or not vaccinate. There are reasons to vaccinate for some and not for others. Each decision should be made between the parent and the provider, and religious exemptions should be allowed. Dr. Bob Sears, a 30-year practicing pediatrician, will give you the information you need to take care of your family. The state does not own your children—parental rights are sacred to our Constitution.
Come join us on Oct 3, at the UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium from 0830 to 6 pm for our annual Alaskans4PersonalFreedom conference. Where else can you hear Outside experts for a mere $60?
Register here.
Our theme this year is “Beyond the Narrative: Go Beyond the Headlines.” The subjects include healthcare, newer off-label treatments for various diagnoses, the effect of Artificial Intelligence in our K12 schools, and geoengineering.
I hope to see you there and spread the word of freedom to your friends and neighbors.
Linda Boyle, RN, MSN, DM, was formerly the chief nurse for the 3rd Medical Group, JBER, and was the interim director of the Alaska VA. Most recently, she served as Director for Central Alabama VA Healthcare System. She is the director of the Alaska Covid Alliance/Alaskans 4 Personal Freedom.
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