Talking to patients about measles, vitamin A and the importance of vaccination

Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA

3/6/2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

With measles cases rising in Texas and beyond, more patients are asking about prevention, treatment and — lately — vitamin A. A recent op-ed by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rightly acknowledges the dangers of measles and the importance of vaccination, which is encouraging. However, his emphasis on vitamin A as a response to measles could create confusion.

While vitamin A can play a role in managing measles complications, there’s a critical point that must not be lost: It is not a substitute for vaccination.

As ID specialists, we play a vital role in helping patients make informed health choices. By providing clear, compassionate and science-backed guidance, we can help ensure patients receive the best protection from measles by keeping vaccination at the forefront of measles prevention efforts.

Vitamin A and measles: What’s the real story?

Patients may ask about vitamin A after hearing claims that it can help prevent or treat measles. Here’s what we can share:

• Vitamin A is NOT a replacement for vaccination. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the only reliable way to prevent measles.
• Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce measles mortality in malnourished populations in resource-limited countries, where deficiencies are common. In well-nourished populations, the benefits are unclear.
• High-dose vitamin A therapy carries safety risks, including toxicity, liver damage and increased intracranial pressure.

While vitamin A may support treatment in severe cases, it does not stop the spread of measles or provide long-term protection — only vaccination can do that.

The MMR vaccine: Decades of proof that it works

The science is clear: The MMR vaccine is safe, effective and is our best tool for measles prevention.

• Measles cases dropped by over 97% in the U.S. after the vaccine’s introduction.
• Research confirms that the vaccine does not cause autism, a persistent myth fueling vaccine hesitancy.
• The vaccine saves lives — before routine vaccination, hundreds of thousands of children died from measles worldwide each year.

No nutritional supplement offers comparable protection.

What about the “sanitation and nutrition” argument?

Some argue that measles deaths declined before vaccines due to improved sanitation and nutrition. While better living conditions improve overall health, they do not prevent measles from spreading. The dramatic decline in measles deaths is due to vaccination, not sanitation alone. Without high vaccine coverage, outbreaks will continue — just as we’re seeing now.

How we can help patients make the right choice

When patients ask about vitamin A or express concerns about vaccination, here are some effective ways to respond:

• Acknowledge concerns — “That’s a great question. There’s been a lot of talk about vitamin A, and I’m glad you’re looking into ways to keep your family safe.”
• Reinforce the facts — “Vitamin A may help in certain severe cases, but it doesn’t prevent measles. The best way to avoid infection is through vaccination.”
• Provide reassurance — “The MMR vaccine has been used for decades and is one of the most studied vaccines in history. It’s extremely safe and highly effective.”
• Make it personal — “As a doctor, I got the MMR vaccine myself and made sure my family did too. I wouldn’t recommend something I don’t trust.”

Bottom line: Vaccination must be the priority

It’s good to see Secretary Kennedy acknowledging the importance of vaccination, but his focus on vitamin A could inadvertently lead some to believe it’s a substitute. While vitamin A has a role in treating severe measles complications — particularly in malnourished populations — the MMR vaccine remains the only reliable way to prevent measles and its potentially severe consequences.

When educating patients about the importance of MMR vaccination, we must also address barriers to access. For example, adults born between 1957 and 1980 may need a second dose if they’re unsure of their vaccination history or only had one dose — especially if they received the less effective inactivated vaccine used in the early 1960s. However, Medicare currently covers the MMR vaccine only under Part D, which often means older adults have to go to a pharmacy instead of getting vaccinated at their doctor’s office, where they are more likely to get vaccinated.

Expanding Medicare coverage under Part B — like other essential vaccines — would make it easier for physicians to administer the MMR vaccine during routine visits. IDSA is actively working with policymakers and partner organizations to improve this policy. We look forward to collaborating with Secretary Kennedy to make immunization more accessible for everyone.