Pennsylvania withdraws controversial disease-tracking regulations after massive public outcry

Governor Josh Shapiro’s team decided to withdraw a draft package of disease-tracking and vaccination regulations that had reignited anger over pandemic-era mandates. The Pennsylvania Department of Health, which had presented the 502-page proposal to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, cited more than 10,000 public comments as the reason for the reversal. Opposition intensified during a clash between Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over two infant measles deaths, the first such fatalities in the state in 35 years.

Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and the entire Republican caucus argued the measures would exceed COVID-19 powers and infringe constitutional rights. The department said it will revise the rules based on the feedback and submit them again later. This marks the latest in a series of at least 11 regulatory proposals the administration has withdrawn since taking office in 2023.