Does vitamin A prevent measles?

No, it’s used as a supportive treatment to help prevent the most severe symptoms in children already sick with measles. Also, most of the evidence in support of its use is for populations with vitamin A deficiencies, which are exceedingly rare in the U.S. today.

Yes. Measles spreads easily, even among healthy kids. In the last several years, we’ve seen an exponential increase in measles infections among unvaccinated children. If there continues to be an increase in individuals, particularly young children, skipping vaccination, there will be an increase in measles illness – along with all of the complications associated with it.

No, measles is far more consequential than the MMR vaccine. When kids get measles, they suffer through real, often dangerous symptoms. Vaccines provide immunity without those risks.

Yes. Before vaccines, hundreds of U.S. children died each year from measles, and thousands were hospitalized. It was so serious that scientists and physicians were certain that we should prevent it, which is why the vaccine exists.

It is very rare that a vaccinated individual develops measles. The measles vaccine offers 97%-99% immunity and continues to be incredibly effective. Community-wide vaccination further increases protection.

Side effects from the MMR vaccine are very low. Some children may develop a fever, and occasionally there is a report of a rash. These effects and the rates of them are very small in comparison to the effects of the real measles infection.

No, the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. Many large, welldesigned studies involving millions of children have shown there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

No, the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine has been well tested and studied. A child’s immune system easily handles the combined vaccine. Babies respond to far more immune challenges every day than what’s in the MMR shot.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician. If you’re in an area with a known outbreak, additional precautions may be advised. If someone is known to have measles, children who haven’t received the MMR vaccine should not be exposed to them. Otherwise, the best way to protect kids younger than a year is through the public’s immunity.

Not really. Vaccinated children are well protected, especially after two doses. The biggest concern during outbreaks is for unvaccinated infants and medically vulnerable children.

Vitamin A is not a cure for measles. It may reduce the most severe symptoms in children suffering from measles – but mainly in populations with nutritional deficiencies. Relying on vitamin A may risk both serious illness and vitamin A overdose. The vaccine, in contrast, offers excellent protection and minimal risks.

If your child is vaccinated, you can feel comfortable that they are protected. If you or your child is unvaccinated, avoid traveling somewhere with a measles outbreak. Measles is highly contagious.

After one dose, they are about 93% protected. The second dose boosts that protection to 97%-99%. Full protection develops a few weeks after each dose.