Measles not prevented by Vitamin A; experts clarify its true functions.
The United States is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, affecting 30 states and resulting in over 1,000 cases, including three confirmed deaths as of May 15, 2025. The major epidemic regions have been identified in western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and other states.
Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, posited that vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, and the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, may aid in the treatment of measles. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advocate for vaccine protection as the most effective preventative measure against measles infection.
To shed light on this issue, Medical News Today spoke with 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.
Regarding the potential benefits of vitamin A, experts agree that while it helps support the immune system, it does not protect against infectious diseases like measles. On the contrary, measles itself can cause vitamin A deficiency, exacerbating symptoms. However, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial for cases of severe measles, particularly in children under the age of 2 years old.
A Cochrane review shows that vitamin A supplementation for children with severe measles is recommended, as per guidelines from the World Health Organization. While research suggests that some medications, including steroids, may produce promising results in isolated cases, their use should not replace standard treatment protocols, as there is insufficient evidence supporting their broad application for measuring management.
Antibiotics like clarithromycin are not recommended for the treatment of measles. They are reserved for treating confirmed bacterial infections rather than viral infections like measles.
The only effective prevention against measles is vaccination. Individuals should isolate from others if a measles rash appears, as recommended by major guidelines. Those who have recently traveled to affected areas or have been in close contact with an infected person should consult their healthcare provider regarding vaccination and potential exposure.
Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a more complex supplement. Most people can meet their daily requirements through diet alone, with medical professionals suggesting supplementation only for specific populations, such as premature infants, those with conditions that interfere with dietary absorption (e.g., celiac disease or Crohn's disease), and individuals with high vitamin A needs, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is advisable to avoid exceeding recommended daily levels to prevent vitamin A toxicity.
In conclusion, vitamin A may offer some benefit in severe measles cases but does not function as a preventive measure. While Buddsonide and Clarithromycin have shown promise in isolated cases, their use for measles treatment should remain based on individual clinical decision-making and not replace standard treatment protocols. Vaccination and isolation remain essential tools for preventing measles and controlling the ongoing outbreaks in the United States.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested vitamin A, found in supplements like cod liver oil, could aid in measles treatment, but experts dispute this, stating it doesn't protect against infectious diseases like measles.
- While treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial for severe measles cases, particularly in children under 2, it's the Cochrane review and WHO guidelines that recommend vitamin A supplementation for children with severe measles.
- Budesonide and Clarithromycin, while showing potential in isolated cases, should not replace standard treatment protocols, as there's insufficient evidence supporting their broad application for measles management.
- Antibiotics like Clarithromycin are not recommended for treating measles; they're reserved for confirmed bacterial infections rather than viral infections like measles.
- Vaccination is the only effective prevention against measles. If a measles rash appears, individuals should isolate from others, as recommended by major guidelines.
- Those who have recently traveled to affected areas or have been in close contact with an infected person should consult their healthcare provider regarding vaccination and potential exposure.
- Cod liver oil, with its content of vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, is a complex supplement that most people can obtain through diet alone. Medical professionals recommend supplementation only for specific populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, to prevent vitamin A toxicity.
