Health Minister Proposes Vitamin A and Cod Liver Oil as Remedies

The recent outbreak of measles in Texas and New Mexico has raised significant health concerns, with local authorities reporting approximately 300 cases in the affected regions. Notably, nearly all individuals infected were unvaccinated. In Texas alone, the number of cases has risen to 259, with 34 patients requiring hospitalization, following a tragic incident in February where a child succumbed to the disease.

The measles outbreak is believed to have originated in late January, when two cases were identified in Gaines County, a rural area near the state's western border. From there, the virus spread into New Mexico, where a fatality has been reported, although investigations are still ongoing.

In response to the outbreak, Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccinations, emphasized their importance in multiple interviews. He suggested that vaccination is a personal choice but also mentioned potential side effects associated with vaccines, including fatalities. Furthermore, he promoted the use of vitamin A and cod liver oil as alternative remedies.

Experts, however, contest these claims. Professor Kirsten Hokeness, a biologist at Bryant University, stated in an ABC interview that vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing measles, with no credible evidence supporting the effectiveness of vitamin A or other suggested remedies. Scott Weaver, an immunology professor at the University of Texas, noted that measles outbreaks were virtually nonexistent in the past due to high vaccination rates, which have recently declined.

In Gaines County, the vaccination rate stands at 82%, significantly below the 95% threshold recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent outbreaks. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany also indicates that herd immunity of 95% is necessary to eliminate measles.

According to the RKI, the effectiveness of the measles vaccine is between 98% and 99% in Germany, with serious side effects being rare. Common reactions to the MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) typically manifest in one out of ten vaccinated individuals, including mild fever and localized swelling at the injection site. A rash may occur in about 5% of cases about a week post-vaccination.

Measles is recognized as one of the most contagious infectious diseases, capable of spreading through respiratory droplets and aerosols released during conversations, coughing, and sneezing. The virus can cause symptoms like fever, cough, and a widespread rash in nearly all unvaccinated individuals.

In Germany, the number of reported measles cases fluctuates annually. As of September 25, 2024, there were 553 reported cases. A measles vaccination mandate has been in effect since March 2020, requiring children over one year old to provide proof of vaccination before attending school or daycare, resulting in a notable increase in vaccination rates. However, the WHO reported that Europe, including Central Asia, experienced the highest incidence of measles in 2024 in nearly three decades.