Measles prevention isn't directly linked to Vitamin A. Here's a look at what this nutrient truly contributes to.
Rising Measles Cases Prompt Discussion on Vitamin A Supplements
The United States is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, affecting over 30 states as of May 15, 2025. The disease has claimed three lives, mostly in western Texas and New Mexico. The resurgence of measles, a once well-controlled infectious disease, has reignited discussions about potential treatments, particularly vitamin A supplements.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends vaccination as the most effective means of protection against measles, recent comments from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have sparked interest in the use of vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, to treat or prevent measles.
Medical News Today spoke to three medical and public health experts to address common questions surrounding vitamin A supplements and measles and the measures individuals can take to prevent the spread of the disease.
Can Vitamin A Prevent or Treat Measles?
Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at the same institution, shared their insights.
All three experts agreed that, while vitamin A is essential for a healthy immune system, it does not provide any preventive benefits against measles. Instead, the disease itself may cause vitamin A deficiency and exacerbate symptoms. Treatment with two oral doses of vitamin A can be helpful in these circumstances, particularly for children under the age of 2 years old.
The Role of Budesonide and Clarithromycin
After Kennedy Jr. praised the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin for treating measles in two children, concerns have been raised about promoting unproven benefits for these medications in treating viral infections.
Ganijan warned that there is no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and while it may not cause harm in some cases, its use should not be considered standard of care. Clarithromycin, on the other hand, is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, not viral ones, and should only be used when there is clinical evidence of a secondary bacterial infection.
Protection Against Measles
The CDC recommends that individuals infected with measles isolate themselves for four days to prevent transmission. Vaccination remains the most effective form of protection against measles, especially in areas where outbreaks are occurring, such as western Texas and New Mexico. Children who have not been vaccinated are particularly vulnerable to severe cases of measles.
Vitamin A and Cod Liver Oil: What to Know
Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a more complex supplement. Although most people can meet their daily vitamin A requirements through diet, certain populations such as preterm infants and those with digestive disorders may need supplements.
Consuming high amounts of vitamin A can cause toxicity, leading to liver damage and other health problems. It is crucial for individuals taking vitamin A supplements to be aware of the recommended daily intake, which varies by age.
Current Measles Vaccine Recommendations
Young children should receive their first measles vaccination between the ages of 12 and 15 months, with a second dose given at ages 4 to 6. Older children, teens, and adults who have not been vaccinated should receive one or two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. If you are unsure about your vaccination status, consult your healthcare provider.
Additional Enrichment Data
- Vitamin A supplementation is recommended for individuals diagnosed with measles to reduce severity and mortality, particularly in areas with vitamin A deficiency.
- Budesonide is not widely recognized as a standard treatment for measles and has no established evidence to support its use for this purpose.
- Clarithromycin is not recommended for measles treatment, as it is primarily used to treat bacterial infections, not viral ones.
- The primary method of preventing measles remains vaccination with the MMR vaccine.
- Despite the ongoing measles outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to advocate for vaccination as the most effective protection method against the disease.
- Vitamin A supplements, such as cod liver oil, do not provide preventive benefits against measles, but can be helpful in treating vitamin A deficiency that can occur due to the disease, particularly in children under the age of 2 years old.
- Budesonide, a steroid, is not a standard treatment for measles and its use should not be considered as such due to the lack of established evidence supporting its effectiveness for this purpose.
- Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, should only be used when there is clinical evidence of a secondary bacterial infection, as it is not recommended for treating viral infections like measles.
- A healthy immune system requires essential nutrients like vitamin A, and it's important for individuals to be aware of the recommended daily intake to prevent toxicity, which can lead to liver damage and other health problems.
- Certain populations, including preterm infants and those with digestive disorders, may require vitamin A supplements to meet their daily requirements.
- In areas with outbreaks, such as western Texas and New Mexico, vaccination remains the most effective form of protection against measles, particularly for children who have not been vaccinated and are at risk of severe cases.
- To prevent the spread of measles, individuals infected with the disease should isolate themselves for four days and consult their healthcare provider for current vaccination recommendations, including the MMR vaccine.
