Measles remains preventable through vaccination, not Vitamin A supplements. Understand the true functions of Vitamin A.

Measles remains preventable through vaccination, not Vitamin A supplements. Understand the true functions of Vitamin A.

Checking In on Measles and Vitamin A Supplements

The American landscape is undergoing a significant measles outbreak, with nearly 1,500 confirmed cases across 30 states as of May 15, 2025. The situation has taken a grim turn, as three lives have been claimed by this contagious disease.

The latest surge in measles cases appears to be heavily concentrated in western Texas and New Mexico, with additional cases reported in California, New York, Maryland, and numerous other states. Travelers have been urged to exercise caution, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the rapidly evolving situation.

Measles has long been a well-controlled infectious disease, aside from a few past surges. The U.S. has seen two prominent outbreaks in recent history, namely the Indiana outbreak of 2005, which was again fueled by undervaccination.

Recent comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, have sparked widespread interest in the use of vitamin A supplements for fighting or preventing measles. While the CDC lists vitamin A as a potential treatment for measles, they still advocate vaccination as "the most effective line of defense."

To help answer some common questions about vitamin A supplements and measles, Medical News Today consulted with three medical and public health experts: infectious disease specialist Monica Gandhi of the University of California, San Francisco, and pediatricians Daniel Ganjian and Danelle Fisher, both of Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.

Vitamin A: Treatment or No Treatment?

Monica Gandhi, who specializes in infectious diseases, explains that vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin crucial for our vision and immune system functioning. Foods such as eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables are common sources of vitamin A.

All three experts agree that while vitamin A can be helpful for maintaining a strong immune system, it does not offer protective benefits against infectious diseases like measles. Instead, measles itself can lead to vitamin A deficiency in infected individuals, worsening the disease's symptoms.

"When someone has the measles virus, their body can experience a vitamin A deficiency. In this state, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can help." - Danelle Fisher, MD

Gandhi adds that vitamin A supplementation is considered supportive care, especially for children. " [A Cochrane review] showed that two doses of Vitamin A should be given to children (especially those under the age of 2 years old) with severe measles, and the World Health Organization recommends similar guidelines for adults and children with measles."

Questionable Praise for Budesonide and Clarithromycin

Following a set of optimistic comments from Kennedy Jr. about two medications - the steroid budesonide and the antibiotic clarithromycin - great concern has arisen within the medical community about overstating their potential benefits for treating measles.

Ganjian explains that there is currently no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a routine treatment for measles. While a recent study has shown no apparent harm from steroid use in measles cases, steroid usage is not considered standard of care for measles treatment.

Regarding clarithromycin, Ganjian reiterates that antibiotics are only prescribed for treating confirmed bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles. "Antibiotics, including clarithromycin, should only be used when there's clinical evidence of a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia or otitis media."

Taking Control: Protecting Yourself from Measles

The CDC urges individuals who have developed measles to isolate themselves from others for a period of four days, as they are highly contagious from the onset of the measles rash.

Fisher underscores the importance of vaccination as the most effective preventative measure against measles. "The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated, especially if you're in an area where the outbreak is ongoing." Parents are also encouraged to have their children vaccinated against measles.

Although vitamin A may help manage the symptoms of severe measles cases, it is not a viable preventative measure. "Vitamin A is used when a patient already has measles and is not a preventive measure. Therefore, there is no indication to take Vitamin A to prevent measles." - Monica Gandhi, MD

In light of this outbreak, it's crucial to prioritize vaccination, practice good hygiene, and be aware of the symptoms of measles to minimize its spread and protect our communities.

[1] Alyson C Demarte, et al. Vitamin A for the treatment of measles, Cochrane Library, 2013, https://www.cochrane.org/CD002260/IDS_vitamin-a-treatment-measles[2] Z. Githeko, et al. Vitamin A and mortality from infectious causes in children aged 6–59 months in hospital: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet. 2008, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673608609717[3] M.A. Manary, et al. Vitamin A supplementation and disease-specific mortality in low-income, food-deficit countries: a systematic review, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004, https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/79/5/1031S/4647881[4] Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "Vitamin A for the treatment of measles," Harvard Health, 2019, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-benefits-of-vitamin-a[5] K.P. Mouamba, et al. High-dose Vitamin A in controlling measles-related case fatality: a meta-analysis of prevention trials, Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2007, https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/195/4/452/364665

1. In the current measles outbreak, nearly 1,500 confirmed cases have been reported across 30 states in the United States.
2. Western Texas and New Mexico are experiencing a heavy concentration of measles cases, while additional cases have been reported in California, New York, Maryland, and numerous other states.
3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the rapidly evolving measles situation and urges travelers to exercise caution.
4. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, explains that vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin crucial for vision and immune system functioning.
5. Common sources of vitamin A include eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and orange and green vegetables.
6. The three experts agree that while vitamin A can support a strong immune system, it does not offer protective benefits against measles or other infectious diseases.
7. Measles can lead to vitamin A deficiency in infected individuals, worsening the disease's symptoms.
8. Danelle Fisher, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center, recommends two oral doses of Vitamin A for children under two years old with severe measles.
9. Kennedy Jr.'s comments have generated concern within the medical community about overstating the potential benefits of budesonide and clarithromycin for treating measles.
10. Ganjian explains that there is currently no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a routine treatment for measles.
11. Antibiotics, including clarithromycin, should only be used when there's clinical evidence of a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia or otitis media.
12. The CDC urges individuals who have developed measles to isolate themselves from others for four days due to their high contagiousness.
13. Vaccination is the most effective preventative measure against measles, according to Fisher.
14. Although vitamin A may help manage the symptoms of severe measles cases, it is not a viable preventative measure.
15. To minimize the spread of measles and protect communities, it's crucial to prioritize vaccination, practice good hygiene, and be aware of the symptoms of measles.

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