Measles prevention does not involve Vitamin A alone; experts clarify its actual roles.
New and Scary: Measles Spike in the US and the Race for Treatment
Measles cases have been surging in the States, spreading to over 30 states as of May 15, 2025, causing public concern. Three confirmed deaths were reported, with the epicenters being western Texas and New Mexico, though cases have also been detected in California, New York, Maryland, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned travelers to exercise caution.
Before this outbreak, measles was typically a well-controlled disease, albeit with occasional resurgences. Two significant measles outbreaks in the past few decades - the and the 2005 Indiana outbreak - were both triggered by undervaccination.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health and Human Services secretary, has recently advocated for vitamin A supplements such as cod liver oil for treating measles. The CDC maintains that vaccination remains the most effective method of prevention.
Curious to delve deeper into this topic, we reached out to three medical and public health experts for their insights on vitamin A supplements, its role in preventing measles, and protective measures against this illness.
Vitamin A and Its Function
Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, and Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, both board-certified pediatricians at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, shared their knowledge on vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin that aids in vision and immune system function. Find it in common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables.
However, neither of the experts deemed vitamin A a preventive measure against measles. While it boosts the immune system, it does not protect against diseases like measles. During the illness, the body might experience a vitamin A deficiency, and treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial in such cases.
Supportive Care with Vitamin A
Although severe Vitamin A deficiency induced more severe measles outcomes in the past, this has changed with proper nutrition. A Cochrane review suggests administering two doses of Vitamin A to children (especially those younger than 2 years old) with severe measles is an advisable practice.
Other Treatments Under Scrutiny
Recent embraces of the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin for treating measles have raised concerns among medical professionals. Although there is yet insufficient evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, further research might provide clarity to its role, if any, in managing the disease.
Clarithromycin: An Antibiotic Fails to Earn Its Place
Clarithromycin use for measles treatment is discouraged. Antibiotics are intended for treating confirmed bacterial infections, and not viral ones like measles. Its utilization should be limited to circumstances where there is clear evidence of a secondary bacterial infection, like pneumonia or otitis media.
Protecting Yourself Against Measles
The only effective means of protection against measles is immunization. To halt the outbreaks in west Texas, New Mexico, and other affected regions, it's advisable to participate in the vaccination program. If you haven't been inoculated before, immunize your children, too, since they are susceptible to severe manifestations of measles.
"Vitamin A is used when a patient already has measles and is not a [preventive] measure. Therefore, there is no indication in this era (where we get plenty of Vitamin A in the diet) to take Vitamin A to prevent measles," Gandhi explains.
For those who have yet to receive the MMR vaccine - Measles, Mumps, Rubella - consult with your doctor for recommendations.
Vitamin A and Cod Liver Oil: More Than Just a Vitamin
Gandhi indicated that cod liver oil contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, making it a complex supplement. Although most people obtain their daily requirements through their diet, some populations may require supplementation to ensure sufficiency.
The recommended daily vitamin A intake varies with age. Babies and children need approximately 300 mcg, whereas adult women require a higher dose. In resource-rich countries like the US, majorities can consume the recommended daily allowance from their diets. Only certain populations, such as preterm infants or people with conditions that might interfere with dietary absorption, including celiac disease and Crohn's disease, may require supplementation.
Consuming high amounts of vitamin A can harm the body, causing damage to the skin, bones, liver, and other organs. Fisher advises paying heed to daily levels, as overconsumption can induce toxicity.
- The surge in measles cases across 30 states in the US, as of May 15, 2025, has sparked public concern, with confirmed deaths reported in western Texas and New Mexico, among other places.
- Before this outbreak, measles, while occasionally resurging, was typically a well-controlled disease, with significant outbreaks such as the 2005 Indiana outbreak being triggered by undervaccination.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health and Human Services secretary, has advocated for the use of vitamin A supplements like cod liver oil for treating measles, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes vaccination as the most effective method of prevention.
- Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, and other medical and public health experts were consulted for insights on vitamin A supplements, its role in preventing measles, and protective measures against the illness.
- Vitamin A is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin that aids in vision and immune system function, found in common foods like eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables.
- Neither of the experts deemed vitamin A a preventive measure against measles, suggesting that while it boosts the immune system, it does not protect against diseases like measles.
- During the illness, the body might experience a vitamin A deficiency, and treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be beneficial in such cases.
- A Cochrane review suggests administering two doses of Vitamin A to children (especially those younger than 2 years old) with severe measles is an advisable practice.
- The steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin have recently attracted attention in treating measles, but their usage is met with concerns due to insufficient evidence supporting them as standard treatments.
- Clarithromycin use for measles treatment is discouraged, as antibiotics are intended for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral ones like measles.
- The only effective means of protection against measles is immunization, with vaccination being advised to halt outbreaks in west Texas, New Mexico, and other affected regions.
- It's also advisable to immunize children, as they are susceptible to severe manifestations of measles.
- For those who have yet to receive the MMR vaccine, a conversation with their doctor is recommended to discuss vaccine options. Additionally, Gandhi indicated that cod liver oil, containing vitamin A, vitamin D, and fatty acids, can be a complex supplement, with certain populations requiring supplementation to ensure sufficiency.
