Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A supplements; Experts clarify its true effects.
Refreshed Piece:
- Measles outbreak hitting the U.S. hard, with over 1,000 cases in 30 states.
- Recent hype about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s comments regarding vitamin A supplements has sparked interest in alternative treatments.
- Three medical and public health experts weigh in on vitamin A, measles prevention, and the role of immunization.
Measles is on the rise in the United States, with a total of 30 states reporting over 1,000 cases, as of May 15, 2025, resulting in three confirmed deaths. The outbreak has been especially concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, but cases have also been reported in California, New York, and Maryland. The CDC has urged travelers to stay vigilant due to the escalating epidemic.
It's not the first time measles has emerged as a significant concern in the U.S., as the country experienced two major outbreaks in the last few decades, including the one in 2005 in Indiana, which was fueled by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, recently suggested that vitamin A, found in supplements like cod liver oil, steroid budesonide, and antibiotic clarithromycin could potentially help combat measles. However, the CDC still advocates for vaccination as the best defense against the infection.
Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, Dan Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Danelle Fisher, another pediatrician at the same hospital, shared their insights with Medical News Today to help sort out misconceptions surrounding vitamin A and measles, as well as effective prevention strategies.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in vision and strengthens the immune system. It can be found in common foods such as eggs, cheese, fish, milk, orange, and green vegetables.
While the experts agree that vitamin A is beneficial for immune system support, they all said it does not act as a preventative measure for measles. However, vitamin A deficiency can develop during the course of the measles virus, making symptoms more severe. In such cases, supplementation with two oral doses of vitamin A can aid in recovery.
"It is true that severe Vitamin A deficiency did lead to more severe outcomes with measles in the past. A Cochrane review showed that two doses of Vitamin A should be given to children (especially those under 2 years old) with severe measles, and the World Health Organization recommends the same for adults and children with measles," Gandhi explained.
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
Budesonide and clarithromycin have recently garnered attention due to Kennedy Jr.'s comments on their potential usefulness in treating measles. After positive accounts of their effects on two children, concerns have been raised about promoting unproven benefits for the treatment of viral infections.
"There is no evidence to support the routine use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles," Ganijan said. "While a recent retrospective cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, further research may be required to clarify its role in measles management."
The experts also warn that antibiotics like clarithromycin should only be used to treat confirmed bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or otitis media, and not for treating viral infections like measles.
How to protect yourself against measles
Since measles sufferers are contagious once the rash appears, the CDC advises four days of isolation to prevent transmission.
"Patients with measles should remain in isolation from 4 days before to 4 days after the onset of rash to prevent transmission, as recommended by major guidelines," Ganijan said.
Fisher emphasized that the only effective prevention strategy is vaccination.
"Vitamin A is used when a patient already has measles and is not a preventive measure. Therefore, there is no indication in this era (where we get plenty of Vitamin A in the diet) to take Vitamin A to prevent measles," Gandhi said.
"The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated for measles, especially if you are in an area where the outbreak is occurring (West Texas, New Mexico). If you haven't been vaccinated before, it's crucial to get your children vaccinated, too, as children can experience very severe cases of measles," she added.
Vitamin A and cod liver oil: What to know
Cod liver oil contains more than just vitamin A, also containing vitamin D and fatty acids.
"Cod liver oil contains high amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. These are fat-soluble vitamins that can accumulate in the body if too much is ingested and cause Vitamin A toxicity," said Fisher.
While most people should be able to meet their daily requirements through their diets, certain populations may require supplementation to ensure they get their daily dose.
How much vitamin A is too much?
While a balanced diet typically provides enough vitamin A to meet nutritional needs, consuming it in excessive amounts can lead to toxicity, which can cause issues such as liver damage, headache, and skin and bone fragility.
"Moreover, Vitamin A is a 'fat soluble' vitamin, which means it stays around in the body and can cause toxicity (e.g., skin and bone fragility, headache, liver damage, etc.) if consumed in too-high amounts," Gandhi warned.
Current measles vaccine recommendations
In response to the growing measles outbreak, the CDC recommends that young children receive their first dose between 12-15 months and their second dose between 4-6, while older children, teens, and adults should receive one to two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, 28 days apart. Those who have not been vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination status should consult their doctor.
- The ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. has reached over 1,000 cases in 30 states as of May 15, 2025, with three confirmed deaths.
- The CDC urges travelers to stay vigilant due to the escalating measles epidemic, particularly in western Texas and New Mexico.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, suggests vitamin A, found in supplements like cod liver oil, steroid budesonide, and antibiotic clarithromycin as potential help against measles.
- However, the CDC still advocates for vaccination as the best defense against measles.
- Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist, Dan Ganjian, a pediatrician, and Danelle Fisher, another pediatrician, all agree that vitamin A supports the immune system but does not act as a preventative measure for measles.
- Vitamin A deficiency can develop during the course of the measles virus, making symptoms more severe. In such cases, supplementation can aid in recovery.
- There is no evidence to support the routine use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and antibiotics like clarithromycin should only be used to treat confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.
- To prevent transmission, measles sufferers should remain in isolation for four days before the appearance of the rash to four days after its onset.
- The most effective prevention strategy is vaccination, especially in areas where the outbreak is occurring, and where children can experience very severe cases of measles.
- Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids.
- While most people can meet their daily requirements through their diets, certain populations may require supplementation to ensure they get the daily dose.
- Consuming vitamin A in excessive amounts can lead to toxicity, which can cause liver damage, headache, and skin and bone fragility.
- To combat the growing measles outbreak, the CDC recommends young children receive their first dose of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine between 12-15 months, and their second dose between 4-6.
- Older children, teens, and adults should receive one to two doses of the MMR vaccine, spaced 28 days apart.
- People who have not been vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination status should consult their doctor.
- In addition to health and wellness, the importance of personal finance, investing, and business should not be overlooked.
- Proper nutrition, cooking, and lifestyle choices are crucial for overall health, mental health, and personal growth.
- To stay informed on current events and ongoing issues, it's essential to keep up with general news, education and self-development, personal growth, career development, and crime and justice, learning, and skills training, as well as sports, like football, NFL, and college football.
