Infectious disease expert dispels vitamin A treatments as cases of measles rise
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
MU Health Care infectious disease expert Dr. Amruta Padhye urges parents to get children vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella or get the MMR vaccine as the nation sees an increase in the virus.
"This year we have seen already by the first three months of this year, we have seen, in the country, more cases of measles than many previous years," Padhye said.
According to the CDC, there have been 607 reported cases in the U.S. this year, making it the third highest year of measles cases in over 25 years behind 2019, which had a little under 1,300 cases, and 2014, with 667 cases.
While Missouri hasn't seen any reported measles cases, Padhye said there is a risk because Kansas had seen 24 cases as of Wednesday with at least one case in Kansas City.
"Vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal have been factors in this outbreak and in prior outbreaks as well," Pahye said.
Padhye adds that getting the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. The two-step vaccine is available for children 6 months old and up, with the first dose given to children at 12 to 15 months and the second dose given around kindergarten.
Amid the outbreak, some measles patients have seen vitamin A toxicity after Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended using the supplement to treat the virus. While vitamin A has been used with measles treatment by experts, it's typically used for children with a vitamin A deficiency. According to the NIH, vitamin A deficiency is rare in the U.S.
"In low- and middle-income countries where vitamin A deficiency is more common, we know that when measles affects vitamin A deficient children, they may have more complications from measles," Padhye said. "We know that some children with measles may have low vitamin E levels, so we do recommend vitamin A in children diagnosed with measles but by no means is it a cure or is it a preventive."
Kennedy has since supported the MMR vaccine saying in an X post Sunday, "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine."
I came to Gaines County, Texas, today to comfort the Hildebrand family after the loss of their 8-year-old daughter Daisy. I got to know the family of 6-year-old Kayley Fehr after she passed away in February. I also developed bonds with and deep affection for other members of…
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) April 6, 2025
Missouri has seen a decline in vaccination rates. Proper rates are important for communities to have herd immunity. To have herd immunity, it's recommended for the population to be at least 95% immune.
Missouri school immunization rules require children without an exemption to have the vaccine. The Department of Health and Senior Services also found that school immunization rates have gone down to around 91%.
Capitol Kids Development Center owner Paula Stallings said that she's been monitoring the spread and will check in with local health departments in case an outbreak hits mid-Missouri.
At her center, parents of non-immunized children have to report the status of their children, this can be done anonymously.
Stallings adds that classrooms are regularly cleaned in general and she is prepared to ramp up cleaning in case of an outbreak.
"We do have, you know, 40 to 50 kids coming through the center every day. And you'd never know who they've been in contact with or, you know, what they might be bringing to us," Stallings.
According to the DHSS, Boone and Cole counties have kindergarten vaccination rates of around 94% for MMR.
Most mid-Missouri counties, except for Chariton, Howard, Maries and Saline have vaccination rates under the recommended percent.
Austin Krohn from Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services agrees that the vaccine is the best means of prevention.
"Definitely keep an eye on the news and where it's at. I know, again, it's right there," Krohn said, "It's almost in Missouri, if not already, keep an eye on it and if you're unsure if you have the vaccine or not, it's better to come in and see what we can do for you."
Padhye also recommends that children be up-to-date on vaccinations if families plan to travel out of the country, as the increase in cases has been seen internationally.
