Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A: Experts clarify its real functions
Measles: Unmasking the Answers on Vitamin A, Budesonide, Clarithromycin, and Vaccination
The recent rise of measles cases across the US has sparked curiosity about unconventional treatments, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocating for vitamin A supplements, budesonide, and clarithromycin. We've consulted medical and public health experts to demystify these claims and give advice on protection.
More than a thousand measles cases have infiltrated 30 states, tragically resulting in three deaths as of May 15, 2025. The epicenter of this outbreak has disproportionately affected western Texas and New Mexico. Beyond these states, measles cases have surfaced in California, New York, Maryland, and others, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging travelers to exercise caution.
A resurgence in measles was largely fueled by undervaccination in past outbreaks. The U.S. faced two major measles outbreaks in the last few decades, including the more notable Michigan outbreak of 2014.
Rumors have been swirling about the efficacy of vitamin A, found in supplements such as cod liver oil, and other medications in helping treat or prevent measles. Although the CDC lists vitamin A as a potential treatment, vaccination remains the most effective line of defense against the disease.
Does vitamin A have any role in preventing or treating measles?
Answering our burning questions on the subject, infectious disease specialist Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, pediatrician Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, and pediatrician Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, shed some light on this matter.
Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining a robust immune system and supporting vision, but it comes up empty-handed in the prevention department. That said, measles can leave one vitamin A deficient, potentially worsening the severity of symptoms. In these situations, oral doses of vitamin A can help manage the deficiency. However, this supplementation should be done under a healthcare professional's supervision.
Budesonide and clarithromycin, two medications extolled by Kennedy Jr., haven't been proven to offer benefits for measles treatment. Budesonide primarily serves as an anti-inflammatory for conditions like asthma. Meanwhile, clarithromycin is an antibiotic reserved for treating bacterial infections, not viral infections like measles.
Armoring Up: Strategies for Preventing Measles
As contagious as measles is, the good news is that it's preventable. Vaccination remains the most potent shield against this disease. To protect yourself and others, health authorities recommend vaccinating children between ages 12-15 months and again at ages 4-6. For those older, one or two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, given at least 28 days apart, is advisable.
To learn more about measles, vitamin A, and the experts' recommendations for protection, read Medical News Today's full coverage.
- In unconventional treatments for measles, vitamin A supplements such as cod liver oil have been mentioned, but vaccination remains the most effective method of protection against the disease.
- While vitamin A is essential for maintaining a robust immune system, it doesn't play a significant role in preventing measles.
- Budesonide and clarithromycin, two medications advocated by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have not been scientifically proven to be beneficial in treating measles.
- To prevent measles, it is recommended that children receive two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, with the first dose given between ages 12-15 months and the second between ages 4-6.
- For those old enough to have missed the initial vaccination period, one or two doses of the MMR vaccine, given at least 28 days apart, is advisable for protection against measles.
