Measles prevention isn't attributed to Vitamin A. Experts clarify its true functions.
In the United States, a considerable surge in measles cases has been observed, with over 1,000 cases reported across 30 states, leading to three confirmed fatalities as of May 15, 2025. The recent outbreak has primarily affected western Texas and New Mexico, although measles cases have also been reported in California, New York, and Maryland. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cautioned travelers to exercise vigilance amid the ongoing outbreak.
The U.S. has historically maintained effective control over measles, except for occasional resurges. Two major measles outbreaks occurred in the 21st century, such as the Indiana outbreak in 2005, which were fueled by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has recently advocated for vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, budesonide, and clarithromycin as potential treatments or preventives for measles. While the CDC acknowledges vitamin A as a potential treatment for measles, the agency still insists on vaccination as the most effective means of protection against the disease.
Medical News Today consulted three experts – Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, Daniel Ganjian, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Danelle Fisher, another board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA – to address common questions about vitamin A supplements, vitamin A deficiency related to measles, and measures to prevent its spread.
The Role of Vitamin A in Preventing and Treating Measles
Vitamin A plays an essential role in maintaining vision and boosting the immune system. It can be found in several common foods, including eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and green and orange vegetables. While vitamin A aids the immune system, it does not protect against measles or other infectious diseases. However, measles can put individuals at risk of developing vitamin A deficiency, which can exacerbate symptoms.
Dr. Fisher explained that while vitamin A helps the immune system, it does not protect against infectious diseases like measles. Treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A, however, can be helpful when someone has the measles virus and is vitamin A deficient.
Dr. Gandhi added that vitamin A supplementation, particularly for children, was considered supportive care in cases of severe measles. According to a Cochrane review, two doses of Vitamin A should be given to children (especially those under the age of 2 years old) with severe measles, and the World Health Organization recommends its use in adults and children with measles as well.
Budesonide and Clarithromycin
After Kennedy Jr. endorsed the use of the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin in treating children with measles, a range of experts raised concerns about promoting the unproven benefits of these medications for the treatment of a viral infection like measles.
Ganijan stated that there is no evidence to support budesonide as a standard treatment for measles. While a recent retrospective cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, there is no clear indication for their routine use in measles management, and their use should not be considered standard of care.
As for clarithromycin, Ganijan underscored that antibiotics are only suitable for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles. Therefore, the use of clarithromycin for measles itself is not recommended.
Protecting Yourself Against Measles
The CDC asserts that people are considered contagious as the measles rash appears, recommending that people who have developed a rash isolate themselves from others for four days to prevent transmission.
According to the experts consulted, the only effective method of preventing measles is vaccination, especially for those residing in areas where the outbreak is ongoing, such as west Texas and New Mexico. In addition, children who have not been vaccinated should receive their shots to protect themselves against severe measles cases.
Dr. Gandhi clarified that vitamin A is administered when a patient already has measles and is not a preventive measure in this era, where residents can easily obtain sufficient amounts of Vitamin A in their daily diets.
Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, and Dietary Considerations
Cod liver oil is a complex supplement containing vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids. Though experts believe people typically meet their daily requirements of vitamin A via their diets, certain populations may require supplements.
Excessive consumption of vitamin A can cause damage to the body, such as skin and bone frailty, headaches, and liver damage. Consequently, people who are taking vitamin A supplements should be cautious not to exceed the recommended daily limits by age.
Current Measles Vaccine Recommendations
The CDC advises young children to receive their first dose of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine between 12 and 15 months, followed by a second dose at 4-6 years of age. Older children, teens, and adults who have not been vaccinated should receive one or two MMR doses, each at least 28 days apart. Individuals who have not had the MMR vaccine as a child, have only had one dose, or are unsure of their vaccination status should consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
- Vitamin A, found in common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and green and orange vegetables, plays an essential role in maintaining vision and boosting the immune system.
- While vitamin A can help the immune system, it does not protect against measles or other infectious diseases. However, measles can put individuals at risk of developing vitamin A deficiency, which can exacerbate symptoms.
- Treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be helpful when someone with measles is vitamin A deficient. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) insists on vaccination as the most effective means of protection against measles.
- Ganijan stated that there is no evidence to support budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and while a recent retrospective cohort study found no evidence of harm from steroid use in measles, there is no clear indication for their routine use in measles management.
- The CDC asserts that people are considered contagious as the measles rash appears and recommends that people who have developed a rash isolate themselves from others for four days to prevent transmission. The only effective method of preventing measles, according to the experts, is vaccination.
