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Vitamin A Poisonings Rose In US After RFK Jr. Promoted It As A Measles Treatment, Study Finds

More than 2,000 confirmed <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bangladesh-battles-growing-measles-outbreak-as-cases-approach-10000-article-154537722" data-type="tilCustomLink">measles </a> cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, putting the country on track for its worst measles outbreak in decades.

The virus continues to spread in unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities, including among infants who are too young to receive the vaccine, highlighting the growing impact of misinformation and declining vaccination rates.

Although measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 and past outbreaks were rapidly contained, vaccination coverage has fallen in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the risk of larger and more difficult-to-control outbreaks.

Health Experts have argued that the situation has been worsened by vaccine skepticism promoted by President <span>Donald Trump</span> and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy has repeatedly framed measles vaccination as a personal choice and has also promoted vitamin A as a treatment option during the outbreak, prompting a surge in public interest.

<h2>RFK Jr.'s Statements Surged <span rel="noindex">Vitamin A For Measles</span></h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/heading-to-fifa-world-cup-2026-heres-how-to-stay-safe-from-measles-heatstroke-and-more-article-154576576" data-type="tilCustomLink">Heading to FIFA World Cup 2026? Here's How to Stay Safe From Measles, Heatstroke</a>

A June 2026 study published in the <em>JAMA Network</em> claimed that internet searches combining "vitamin A" and "measles" increased by 44 per cent on February 26, 2025, and reached peak popularity on March 22, 2025.

The study, led by Boston Children’s Hospital and University of California, also found that searches for "cod liver oil" and measles peaked at 52.6 per cent on March 5, 2025, following government statements in February advocating vitamin A as a treatment.

Earlier in 2025, Kennedy also falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine—which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella—causes encephalitis, or brain swelling, while also saying it "does stop the spread of the disease."

<h2>Excessive Vitamin A Use Led To Poisonings</h2>

In April 2025, America's Poison Centers (APC) reported a rise in the use of alternative measles prevention methods and warned about the risks associated with excessive consumption of vitamin A and cod liver oil, People.com reported.

"For patients with measles, particularly hospitalized children, vitamin A supplementation is recommended to help reduce the risk of severe complications," APC said in a statement.

According to APC, symptoms of vitamin A toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headaches caused by increased intracranial pressure, bone pain, vision changes, and liver damage.

The organization reported 86 pediatric vitamin A exposure cases between January 1 and March 31, 2025—a 38.7 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. However, APC noted that there had been no increase in the severity of poisonings, with no major adverse effects reported in 2025.

<h2>Is Vitamin A Recommended for Measles?</h2>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/confused-by-your-cholesterol-report-heres-what-ldl-and-apob-really-mean-article-154530945" data-type="tilCustomLink">Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really Mean</a>

According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin A supplementation is recommended for children with measles who are at increased risk of vitamin A deficiency. Research suggests that supplementation may help reduce the risk of death and severe complications from the disease.

However, health experts continue to stress that the MMR vaccine remains the most effective method of preventing measles.

"If someone is infected with measles, then vitamin A can help mitigate some of the longer-term sequelae, but it does not prevent measles in an unvaccinated person," infectious disease epidemiologist Catherine Troisi told Houston Public Media.

"Moderate doses of vitamin A can be useful in treatment, but the better choice is to prevent measles from happening in the first place through vaccination."

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Vitamin A Poisonings

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Vitamin A for Measles

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More than 2,000 confirmed measles  cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, putting the country on track for its worst measles outbreak in decades.The virus continues to spread in unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities, including among infants who are too young to receive the vaccine, highlighting the growing impact of misinformation and declining vaccination rates.Although measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 and past outbreaks were rapidly contained, vaccination coverage has fallen in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the risk of larger and more difficult-to-control outbreaks.Health Experts have argued that the situation has been worsened by vaccine skepticism promoted by President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Kennedy has repeatedly framed measles vaccination as a personal choice and has also promoted vitamin A as a treatment option during the outbreak, prompting a surge in public interest.RFK Jr.'s Statements Surged Vitamin A For MeaslesAlso read: Heading to FIFA World Cup 2026? Here's How to Stay Safe From Measles, HeatstrokeA June 2026 study published in the JAMA Network claimed that internet searches combining "vitamin A" and "measles" increased by 44 per cent on February 26, 2025, and reached peak popularity on March 22, 2025.The study, led by Boston Children’s Hospital and University of California, also found that searches for "cod liver oil" and measles peaked at 52.6 per cent on March 5, 2025, following government statements in February advocating vitamin A as a treatment.Earlier in 2025, Kennedy also falsely claimed that the MMR vaccine—which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella—causes encephalitis, or brain swelling, while also saying it "does stop the spread of the disease."Excessive Vitamin A Use Led To PoisoningsIn April 2025, America's Poison Centers (APC) reported a rise in the use of alternative measles prevention methods and warned about the risks associated with excessive consumption of vitamin A and cod liver oil, People.com reported."For patients with measles, particularly hospitalized children, vitamin A supplementation is recommended to help reduce the risk of severe complications," APC said in a statement.According to APC, symptoms of vitamin A toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headaches caused by increased intracranial pressure, bone pain, vision changes, and liver damage.The organization reported 86 pediatric vitamin A exposure cases between January 1 and March 31, 2025—a 38.7 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. However, APC noted that there had been no increase in the severity of poisonings, with no major adverse effects reported in 2025.Is Vitamin A Recommended for Measles?Read More: Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really MeanAccording to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin A supplementation is recommended for children with measles who are at increased risk of vitamin A deficiency. Research suggests that supplementation may help reduce the risk of death and severe complications from the disease.However, health experts continue to stress that the MMR vaccine remains the most effective method of preventing measles."If someone is infected with measles, then vitamin A can help mitigate some of the longer-term sequelae, but it does not prevent measles in an unvaccinated person," infectious disease epidemiologist Catherine Troisi told Houston Public Media."Moderate doses of vitamin A can be useful in treatment, but the better choice is to prevent measles from happening in the first place through vaccination."

vitamin a poisonings rose in us after rfk jr. promoted it as a measles treatment, study finds

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