Instead, healthcare providers focus on managing symptoms and treating bacterial infections and other complications of the disease.
However, most people in the United States get plenty of vitamin A in their diet.
People taking budesonide arewarned to avoidexposure to measles, as it can increase the risk of infection.
Jan Sonnenmair / Getty Images
Why Is Vitamin A Given to Children With Measles?
A severe measles infection can deplete a persons vitamin A stores.
The Risks of Vitamin A Toxicity
Consuming too much vitamin A can be toxic.
The vitamin is fat-soluble, meaning it can build up in the liver and cause problems.
Inan update this week, the CDC offered vitamin A dosing recommendations for healthcare providers.
However, the guidance doesnt call out those risks.
It will not do that.
“The CDC in the past has not done a good job of quantifying the risk of vaccines.
We are going to do that now,” Kennedy told Fox.
These individuals rely on everyone else to protect them.
The MMR vaccine is typically given as a two-dose series.
Those who live in an area with a measles outbreak may get a shot earlier.
The vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing the infection.
What This Means For You
Vitamin A does not prevent measles.
The MMR vaccine is intended for children, but it can be given to adults, too.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent getting sick and spreading the disease.
Texas Department of State Health Services.Measles outbreakMarch 4, 2025.
Department of Health and Human Services.Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001477.pub4
Olson JM, Ameer MA, Goyal A.Vitamin A toxicity.
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Routine measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination.
