Does Vitamin A Prevent Measles?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of March 27, 2025, 483 confirmed measles cases have been reported in 20 states. The CDC says that one school-aged child died from measles in Texas, and one death is still under investigation.

While the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can effectively prevent the disease, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently mentioned that vitamin A is a potential treatment option.

In a March 2 opinion piece for Fox News, Kennedy said, "While there is no approved antiviral for those who may be infected, CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting the administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection. Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality."

Soon after Kennedy mentioned vitamin A for treating measles, Texas Public Radio reported that Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock admitted fewer than 10 children with severe measles and vitamin A toxicity — sparking concern among health experts.

While research and the CDC suggest that vitamin A may help treat measles in hospitalized children, WellnessPulse spoke with an expert who says it cannot prevent the disease. Instead, giving children high doses of vitamin A can lead to severe complications, including liver damage, vision problems, and neurological issues.

Vitamin A for treating measles

The February 27, 2025, updated CDC recommendation Kennedy mentioned in his Fox News commentary suggests that for an individual with measles, supportive care, including vitamin A administration under the direction of a physician, may be appropriate.

Moreover, the study Kennedy referred to, published in 2010, notes that vitamin A deficiency is a recognized risk factor for severe measles. After the scientists reviewed published randomized controlled trials, they found that administering two relatively high doses of vitamin A reduced measles mortality by 62%.

Still, the researchers did not conclude that vitamin A prevents the disease.

Jacob Bilhartz, MD, a pediatric hepatologist at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, tells WellnessPulse that developed countries such as the United States do not have a high rate of vitamin A deficiency in the community. So, vitamin A plays no role in preventing measles infection during an outbreak.

"However, vitamin A is a potential treatment option for children hospitalized with a severe measles infection," Bilhartz says. "The important point to make here is that vitamin A administration in this setting is carefully monitored and supervised, so the risks of taking an amount that would be toxic to the liver can be managed."

The dangers of excessive vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient needed for normal vision, immune system function, reproduction, and growth and development. It helps the heart, lungs, and other organs function properly.

Foods rich in vitamin A include fish, organ meats, dairy products, and eggs. People can also obtain vitamin A from dietary supplements.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the daily recommended allowances for vitamin A by age are:

• Birth to 6 months: 400 micrograms (mcg)
• 7 to 12 months: 500 mcg
• 1 to 3 years: 300 mcg
• 4 to 8 years: 400 mcg
• 9 to 13 years: 600 mcg
• 14 to 18 years: 900 mcg
• Adult males: 900 mcg
• Adult females: 700 mcg

"Any dose above the recommended daily intake can lead to toxicity. Patients with a compromised liver may have a lower threshold for toxicity, and measles (or any viral infection) can affect the liver, making them even more susceptible to potentially liver-damaging medications or supplements," Bilhartz warns.

What is vitamin A toxicity?

Vitamin A toxicity can lead to liver damage, potentially to the point of cirrhosis or liver failure, vision complications, neurological issues, and skin or bone problems. Symptoms that might indicate vitamin A toxicity include headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, muscle aches, and changes in consciousness.

Bilhartz says that since it's a fat-soluble vitamin, it can build up in the body's fat stores, which is why taking high doses for measles prevention or treatment poses significant risks, especially when given outside of medical supervision and monitoring.

I think this situation illustrates the hazards that come with viewing vitamins and supplements as always 'safer' than a traditional medication. Some are equally or even more hazardous when used outside of medical supervision, as we have unfortunately seen with this measles outbreak.

Jacob Bilhartz, MD

The supplement industry is also concerned about recent reports of toxicity among children.

On March 26, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a supplement and functional food trade association, issued a statement warning people that administering high doses of vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination and can lead to adverse health effects.

What does treat measles?

Over the past few years, vaccine skepticism has grown, impacting vaccination rates worldwide. However, coverage rates among two-year-olds in the United States for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot have remained relatively stable since 2011, hovering around 90%.

While it's unclear whether measles-related vitamin A toxicity cases have occurred in vaccinated or unvaccinated children, the MMR vaccine, not vitamin A supplementation, is the only way to prevent the disease.

In his Fox News article, Kennedy said, "Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons."

He also noted that parents should consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine, as the decision to vaccinate is a personal one.

According to Bilhartz, the MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing measles infections in those who can receive it. However, some people, such as immunocompromised individuals, should not receive the vaccine because of their weakened immune system.

A measles infection in an immunocompromised child would be what COVID-19 was for many elderly patients — simply catastrophic with an extremely high morbidity and mortality rate. We have already sadly seen this year that it can be fatal in healthy children as well. Herd immunity is the only viable way to protect these most vulnerable patients.

Jacob Bilhartz, M.D.

The bottom line

According to CDC guidelines, healthcare providers may use vitamin A as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for children hospitalized with severe measles. However, vitamin A does not prevent measles and is not a replacement for the MMR vaccine.

Moreover, since excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, doses over the recommended daily allowances should never be administered outside of medical supervision and monitoring.

While HHS Secretary Kennedy's recent comments about using vitamin A to treat measles under physician supervision are accurate, reports of vitamin A toxicity in children suggest that parents may have misinterpreted his message.

For clarification, WellnessPulse reached out to the HHS and Secretary Kennedy for comments regarding these reports and is awaiting a response.