Can vitamin A help prevent measles?
Based on Science
Vitamin A does not prevent measles. The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination. Vitamin A supplements are a tool in reducing complications from measles, but they will not prevent infection. Vitamin A, when used under the guidance of a health care provider, may reduce the severity of measles, particularly among children at high risk of deficiency. However, too much vitamin A is dangerous.
Last update June, 5 2025
Vaccination offers the best protection against measles.
Measles is extremely contagious. It is caused by the measles virus (genus Morbillivirus, often called rubeola), which spreads through respiratory droplets and can linger in the air for hours. There are no antiviral medicines or treatment alternatives currently available.
The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. Health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is about 97 percent effective after two doses. Children should receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years.
Supplementation can reduce complications.
If you do become sick with measles, vitamin A supplementation, when used under the supervision of a health care provider, can reduce complications. Vitamin A supplementation may have benefits during measles infection, particularly for those who have low reserves of the vitamin. It can lower the risk of severe illness, including complications like pneumonia, blindness, and death—particularly among children.
More generally, vitamin A plays a key role in maintaining a healthy immune system. When children are deficient in vitamin A, their immune defenses are weakened, making them more vulnerable to many illnesses, including measles. In areas with high measles transmission rates and poor nutrition, public health programs often pair vaccination with vitamin A supplementation. This dual strategy creates immune system protection from the disease and helps reduce malnutrition, which can mitigate the consequences should infection occur.
Supplementation is not a substitute for vaccination.
Vitamin A does not stop the virus that causes measles from infecting someone and does not stop the virus from spreading. Vitamin A can only reduce the severity of measles once the disease is contracted. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and protect communities.
Importantly, too much vitamin A can cause health problems. Excess intake of preformed vitamin A, which is the kind found in some supplements, is associated with pneumonia, bone pain, diarrhea, and the risk of liver failure. It can even be fatal if overconsumed. These risks are why it is important to follow guidance from health care providers when using vitamin A supplements.
What you can do.
Get children vaccinated on schedule. The MMR vaccine provides strong protection against measles. Adults who are unsure of their vaccination status can also get the MMR vaccine.
Eat vitamin A–rich fruits and vegetables daily, such as deep green and orange‑fleshed sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, carrots, and mangos.
To avoid the risk of toxicity from too much preformed vitamin A, seek the advice of a health care provider if you think vitamin A supplementation may be needed.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. The Critical Public Health Value of Vaccines: Tackling Issues of Access and Hesitancy. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/26134/chapter/7#137. Highlights evidence that improving vitamin A status can reduce measles complications and recommends expanding vitamin A use in measles management.
National Academy of Medicine. Health Basics: Measles. https://nam.edu/product/measles-health-basics/.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Use of Vitamin A in the Treatment of Measles. https://www.eatrightpro.org/news-center/practice-trends/use-of-vitamin-a-in-the-treatment-of-measles.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Ask the Pediatrician. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/can-vitamin-a-prevent-or-cure-measles.aspx.
National Academy of Medicine. Measles 2025: The State of the Outbreak. https://nam.edu/event/measles-2025-the-state-of-the-outbreak.
Disclaimer: Initial brainstorming and outlining for articles in this series, produced in 2025, may include input generated with the assistance of ChatGPT. Human experts review all AI-supported content to ensure factual accuracy, relevancy and the appropriate context.
