Does vitamin A prevent measles?
The Claim
Vitamin A prevents measles.
The Facts
Vitamin A does not prevent or cure measles. It may help prevent the worst outcomes for vitamin A-deficient children already sick with measles.
The Truth
The safest and only reliable way to prevent measles is with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine.
What we're hearing:
Vitamin A prevents measles.
What we're hearing:
Vitamin A prevents measles.
What's true:
Vitamin A has been used as a supportive treatment to help prevent the most serious symptoms in children who already have measles.
What's missing?
Vitamin A is not a cure for measles, and the effectiveness of its use as treatment is limited. The evidence suggests it mainly benefits populations with high rates of vitamin A deficiency. In the U.S. today, fewer than 1% of people are vitamin A deficient.
Giving vitamin A to a child who isn’t deficient can lead to overdose. The MMR vaccine, by contrast, has been shown to be very safe and offer 97%-99% protection against contracting measles.
What's at stake:
Relying on vitamin A for prevention or treatment of measles puts kids at risk for serious illness and complications. Supplementing vitamin A without the guidance of a pediatric professional risks toxicity.
Bottom line:
Vitamin A won’t prevent or cure measles. The MMR vaccine is still the safest, most effective method of protection.
Michael Bigham, MD, MBA, FAAP, FCCM, and father of three
Chief Quality Officer; Pediatric Intensivist
Dr. Michael Bigham’s experience as a pediatric ICU physician has given him firsthand insight into the serious impact vaccine-preventable illnesses can have on children. As Akron Children’s chief quality officer, he helps ensure the hospital’s care reflects the latest evidence-based medical standards, including immunization recommendations and their role in protecting child health.
Full Bio
