Measles isn't curbed by Vitamin A consumption. Specialists clarify the real functions of this dietary supplement.
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Let's Chat About Measles, Vitamins, and Preventative Measures
Got a burning question about measles, vitamins, and protecting yourself and your community? Well, you've come to the right place!
The United States is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with cases skyrocketing in 30 states and three reported deaths as of May 15, 2025.
Recent outbreaks have been primarily concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, but cases have also been reported in California, New York, Maryland, and numerous other states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory, urging travelers to be cautious.
Measles, traditionally a well-controlled infectious disease, has historically experienced occasional surges. The U.S. has endured two major measles outbreaks in the past few decades – the and the 2005 outbreak in Indiana – both fueled by undervaccination.
Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, touted vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, the steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin as potential treatments for measles. While the CDC lists vitamin A as a potential treatment, they still strongly advocate for vaccination as the most effective prevention method.
We reached out to three experts – an infectious disease specialist and two pediatricians – to help answer questions and provide guidance on vitamins, measles, and prevention measures.
Can vitamin A prevent or treat measles?
Medical News Today spoke to three doctors to shed some light on the issue:
Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, San Francisco, stated that while vitamin A is essential for the immune system, it does not offer protection against infectious diseases, such as measles.
Instead, Gandhi emphasized that vitamin A deficiency can occur during the measles virus's presence, exacerbating symptoms. Accordingly, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can help alleviate some of these adverse effects.*
What about budesonide and clarithromycin?
There's no evidence to support the use of budesonide and clarithromycin as standard treatments for measles, according to Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Ganijan explained that while there's no harm from steroid use in measles cases, there's no clear indication for steroid use in measles management, and its application should not be considered a standard of care.
Regarding clarithromycin, Ganijan advised that antibiotics should only be used if there's clinical proof of a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or otitis media, and not as routine or preventive therapy.
How to protect yourself against measles
The CDC explains that people are contagious during the measles rash's appearance. As a result, the recommendation is that people who contract measles should isolate for four days to minimize transmission.
Fisher underlined that the only effective prevention against measles is vaccination.
According to Gandhi, vitamin A is useful when someone already has measles but is not a preventive measure. Therefore, there's no reason to consume it to avoid contracting measles.
To protect yourself and your community, vaccination remains the most effective course of action.
Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, and Safety Considerations
Gandhi explained that cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids, making it a more complex supplement.
While experts believe most people will meet their daily requirements via diet, some people may need supplements to ensure they get their necessary daily dosage.
If you choose to take a vitamin A supplement, it's crucial to be mindful of consumption levels, as overindulgence can cause damage to the body. Gandhi warned that consuming vitamin A in excessive amounts can lead to skin and bone fragility, headaches, liver damage, and other negative health effects.
Fisher also cautioned against excessive vitamin A intake, emphasizing that the recommended daily allowance varies depending on age. For instance, babies and children require about 300 mcg daily, whereas adults, particularly women, should consume no more than 3,000 mcg.
Current Vaccination Recommendations
In response to the growing measles outbreak in the U.S., the CDC's current vaccination recommendations include:
Young children should receive their first vaccine dose between the ages of 12-15 months and the second dose between ages 4-6.
Older children, teens, and adults who are not vaccinated should receive one to two MMR vaccine doses, each spaced at least 28 days apart.
If you haven't had the MMR vaccine as a child, have only had one dose, or are unsure whether you've been fully vaccinated, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.
- The CDC lists Vitamin A as a potential treatment for measles, but they strongly advocate for vaccination as the most effective prevention method.
- While cod liver oil contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and essential fatty acids, it is crucial to be mindful of consumption levels to avoid causing damage to the body.
- Though Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested Vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, budesonide, and clarithromycin as potential treatments for measles, there's no evidence to support this in standard treatment.
- Vitamin A deficiency can occur during the measles virus's presence, exacerbating symptoms, but it does not offer protection against infectious diseases like measles.
- To protect yourself and your community from measles, vaccination remains the most effective course of action.
- Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist, stated thatPeople who contract measles should isolate for four days to minimize transmission.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory, urging travelers to be cautious due to the measles outbreak in several states.
