Vitamin A and Measles: What You Need to Know

My friend told me vitamin A is a natural alternative to the MMR vaccine. Is vitamin A safe and effective for treating or preventing measles in kids?

You’re asking an important question. The idea that vitamin A can help prevent measles has been floating around on social media, but it’s important to understand what actually works (and what doesn't) when it comes to protecting your kids.

Let's break it down.

Do vitamin A and cod liver oil prevent measles?

Let's be clear on this one: No, vitamin A doesn’t prevent measles. While some people say that vitamin A sources like cod liver oil can prevent measles, it's simply not true.

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) is the only proven way to prevent measles. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective at stopping measles before it starts. In fact, it’s been shown to be safe for millions of children worldwide.

Can vitamin A treat measles?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any cures or magic-bullet treatments for measles, which is why it’s so important to prevent the disease by getting the MMR vaccine.

So, why all the talk about vitamin A? Two days of vitamin A with the dosage adjusted for the age of the child can be helpful for some children who are undernourished and have measles. Taken at the dose prescribed by your doctor is safe. Additional doses beyond those recommendations can be toxic and should not be given — either as vitamin A or cod liver oil.

There have been reports of kids getting too much vitamin A from parents who thought it would help protect against measles. Instead, the high dose of vitamin A caused vitamin A toxicity, or vitamin A poisoning. This is when excess vitamin A makes kids sick and can harm their eyes, skin, bones and liver. Some of these kids have had vitamin A toxicity at the same time that they developed measles.

The bottom line? It’s important not to give your kids high doses of vitamin A unless a doctor says it’s needed. Always talk to your child’s pediatrician before giving them a new medication or supplement when they’re sick.

How can you protect your kids against measles?

You want to keep your kids safe. The best way to protect your kids from measles is by getting the MMR vaccine. It’s safe, it works and it can stop measles before it starts.

If you’re still unsure, talk to your child’s doctor. They can help answer any questions you have about the MMR vaccine and why it’s the best way to keep your child safe from measles.