Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A. Medical professionals clarify its true functions.
The United States is currently grappling with a surge in measles cases, with over 1,000 confirmed cases across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. The outbreak has been most prominent in western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory, urging travelers to exercise caution.
Historically, measles has been a well-controlled infectious disease, but it has seen two major resurgences in recent decades, including the outbreak in Indiana in 2005. Both events were primarily driven by under-vaccination.
Recently, United States Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has suggested that vitamin A supplements, such as cod liver oil, as well as the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, may offer beneficial results in treating or preventing measles. However, the CDC continues to uphold vaccination as the most effective means of prevention.
The CDC recommends that young children receive their first MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine at ages 12-15 months, followed by a second dose at ages 4-6. Older children, teens, and adults who have not been vaccinated should receive one to two MMR vaccine doses, with at least 28 days between each dose. Individuals uncertain of their vaccination status are encouraged to consult their health care providers.
Medical News Today reached out to three experts for advice on the role of vitamin A in measles: Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at 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.
Emerging from their discussions, there is a consensus that vitamin A supplements alone do not act as a preventive measure against measles. Instead, vitamin A helps maintain immune system function and may aid in recovery when someone already has the disease. Likewise, while both budesonide and clarithromycin have been touted as potential treatments for measles, they have not been substantiated by scientific evidence.
Meanwhile, vaccines remain the most effective weapon in the fight against measles. Health authorities emphasize that communities should prioritize immunization, particularly in areas where outbreaks have occurred.
Regarding vitamin A, cod liver oil, budesonide, and clarithromycin, it is crucial to exercise caution and adhere to the guidelines set by medical professionals. Excessive consumption of vitamin A can lead to adverse health effects, including liver damage, and antibiotics like clarithromycin are not recommended for treating viral infections like measles.
As the measles outbreak continues, it is essential for individuals to follow CDC recommendations, prioritize vaccination, and consult their healthcare providers for any questions or concerns regarding measles treatment.
- In the ongoing measles outbreak, the CDC advises that young children should receive their first MMR vaccine between 12-15 months, followed by a second dose at ages 4-6, while older children, teens, and adults who are not vaccinated should receive one to two MMR vaccine doses, with at least 28 days between each dose.
- Experts consulted by Medical News Today have agreed that vitamin A supplements, specifically cod liver oil, do not act as a preventive measure against measles but may assist in maintaining immune system function and aiding recovery when someone has the disease.
- While the antibiotic clarithromycin has been suggested as a potential treatment for measles, medical authorities caution against its use for viral infections like measles, as it can lead to adverse health effects.
- It is essential for individuals to prioritize immunization, particularly in areas where measles outbreaks have occurred, and to follow CDC recommendations, consult their healthcare providers for any questions or concerns regarding measles treatment, and be cautious when considering supplements like cod liver oil, budesonide, and clarithromycin for measles treatment.
