Measles outbreaks surge as vaccination rates drop and risky remedies spread

Measles cases in the US have climbed sharply in recent years, reaching levels not seen in decades. In 2025, infections hit 2,288—the highest total since 1991—with most cases affecting those who skipped or delayed vaccination. Now, as misinformation spreads about alternative treatments, health officials are warning against risky remedies like high-dose vitamin A. The surge began in 2025 when vaccination rates among US kindergarteners dropped below 95%. This threshold is critical for preventing outbreaks, and the decline left communities vulnerable. By the end of that year, 96% of measles cases occurred in unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals.

The trend continued into 2026, with 2,030 cases reported in just the first six months. As infections rose, so did online searches for unproven treatments. Terms like 'vitamin A and measles' and 'cod liver and measles' spiked after public figures promoted supplements as possible cures. Between January and March 2025 alone, poison control centres recorded 86 cases of paediatric vitamin A exposure—a 38.7% jump from the same period in 2024. While vitamin A can aid recovery under medical supervision, it does not prevent measles. Excess doses can cause serious harm, including nausea, liver damage, and birth defects. Deficiency, though rare in the US, may worsen measles symptoms—but health experts stress that vaccination remains the only reliable protection.

The measles vaccine is still the most effective defence against the disease. Without higher vaccination rates, outbreaks are likely to persist, putting unprotected children at risk. Meanwhile, unregulated use of vitamin A poses additional dangers, with no evidence it can replace or prevent infection.