As a measles outbreak spreads across the US, doctors are now warning of an unexpected health risk—children getting sick from consuming too much vitamin A. At Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, several unvaccinated children have shown signs of liver problems after taking high doses of vitamin A, according to Dr Lara Johnson, the hospital’s chief medical officer.

Vitamin A: Not a Substitute for the MMR Vaccine

During the outbreak, the US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted vitamin A, even suggesting it might help prevent measles. However, medical experts strongly disagree.

“If people mistakenly believe they have an either-or choice between the MMR vaccine and vitamin A, we’ll see a lot more kids unnecessarily infected with measles. That’s a huge concern, especially during an outbreak,” said Dr Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and dean at Baylor College of Medicine, in an interview with CNN.

Hotez also pointed out another major issue—the unregulated use of high-dose vitamin A. Without proper medical supervision, excessive intake can lead to serious health problems.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the only proven method of preventing measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the vaccine is 97 per cent effective after two doses. Kennedy, while stating that he supports vaccines, believes vaccination should be a personal choice.

The Dangers of Too Much Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be beneficial when given in the correct dosage by a healthcare professional. It is sometimes used to help manage measles symptoms. However, overconsumption—especially without medical oversight—can be dangerous.

Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, it accumulates in the body, leading to potential side effects such as:

In pregnant women, excessive vitamin A intake can even cause birth defects.

Dr Lesley Motheral, a paediatrician in Lubbock, emphasized that children in Texas are generally well-nourished and don’t need additional vitamin A supplements. “If vitamin A toxicity is caught early, recovery can be rapid once supplementation stops. Unfortunately, some of the more severe effects aren’t always reversible,” she explained.

Warnings from Experts and Supplement Makers

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), an organization representing supplement manufacturers, has also urged parents to be cautious.

“Vitamin A plays an important role in immune function, but there’s no scientific evidence that it prevents measles infection. High-dose vitamin A use in children is particularly concerning,” CRN stated.

Misinformation from Social Media and Influencers

Dr Johnson believes some parents are following misleading advice from social media and wellness influencers, who often downplay the importance of vaccines and promote unproven remedies like ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and high-dose vitamin A.

Hotez echoed this concern, saying, “It’s troubling to see the wellness industry push these so-called cures while undermining vaccines.”

Ongoing Measles Outbreak

The current measles outbreak has already affected at least 378 people across 17 states, including Texas, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, and Washington.

Despite the surge in cases, Kennedy has continued to promote a treatment plan involving vitamin A, a steroid, an antibiotic, and cod liver oil. However, medical experts stress that there is little to no scientific evidence supporting this approach.

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