Measles prevention is not offered by Vitamin A. Experts clarify its actual functions.
A recent surge in measles cases across several U.S. states has left residents scrambling for solutions. Many have turned to vitamin A supplements, spurred on by comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. But do these supplements really help fight off measles? To find out, we tapped experts in the field.
Measles is on the rise, with over 1,000 cases confirmed across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. Western Texas and New Mexico have been hit particularly hard, though the disease has also been reported in California, New York, and Maryland, among other places. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised travelers to exercise caution.
Measles has historically been a well-controlled disease, with only occasional outbreaks. The U.S. has seen two major measles outbreaks in recent years, both linked to undervaccination.
Kennedy Jr. has claimed that vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, as well as the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin, can aid in treating measles. However, the CDC still advocates for vaccination as the best defense against the disease.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports vision and the immune system. It is found in common foods such as eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables. But when it comes to measles, the experts we spoke to were unanimous: vitamin A doesn't prevent the disease, but it can help alleviate symptoms in those who are already infected.
"When someone has the measles virus, their body can have a vitamin A deficiency," explained Dr. Danelle Fisher, a board-certified pediatrician. "In that condition, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be helpful."
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, agreed. "Severe Vitamin A deficiency did lead to more severe outcomes with measles in the past," she said. However, she cautioned that vitamin A supplementation should not be used as a preventative measure without addressing the underlying risk of vitamin A deficiency.
Dr. Daniel Ganjian, another board-certified pediatrician, had similar concerns. "While it does help the immune system, vitamin A does not help protect against infectious diseases like measles," he said.
As for the other supplements Kennedy Jr. touted, the experts were more skeptical. "There is no evidence to support the use of budesonide or other steroids as a standard treatment for measles", Ganjian said. Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is reserved for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.
So, what's the best way to protect yourself against measles? "The only effective prevention against measles is vaccination," Fisher said. "Getting vaccinated is especially important if you are in an area where the outbreak is occurring."
Gandhi also emphasized the importance of vaccination. "Vitamin A is used when a patient already has measles and is not a preventive measure," she said. "Therefore, there is no indication in this era to take Vitamin A to prevent measles."
- The rise in measles cases has led many residents to consider supplements like vitamin A, cod liver oil, and others, as suggested by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Measles, currently impacting over 1,000 individuals across 30 states, has fueled concerns about its resurgence in the U.S.
- Experts in the field have been consulted to determine the effectiveness of vitamin A supplements in combating measles.
- While vitamin A supports eye health and the immune system, it does not prevent the onset of measles; however, it can help alleviate symptoms in those already infected.
- Dr. Danelle Fisher stated that treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can help in addressing a vitamin A deficiency caused by the measles virus.
- Dr. Monica Gandhi and Dr. Daniel Ganjian concur that severe vitamin A deficiency may lead to more severe measles outcomes, but vitamin A supplementation should not be used preventatively without addressing underlying deficiency risks.
- The experts' views on the rest of the supplements recommended by Kennedy Jr. are more critical, with no evidence supportive of budesonide or other steroids as a standard measles treatment, and clarithromycin primarily used for treating bacterial infections, not viral ones like measles.
- Vaccination remains the only effective prevention against measles, especially in areas experiencing outbreaks, as emphasized by both Dr. Danelle Fisher and Dr. Monica Gandhi.
