World Health Organization Confirms No Link Between Tylenol, Vaccines, and Autism

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that there is no scientific evidence linking the use of painkillers like Tylenol or vaccines to the development of autism spectrum disorder. This statement comes in response to recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, who suggested a possible connection.

President Trump emphasized the importance of pregnant women avoiding Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, citing concerns about autism, and called for changes to standard vaccination protocols for infants. However, leading medical organizations and regulatory agencies maintain that these claims are unsubstantiated.

Medical experts, including WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, clarified that observational studies suggesting a possible association between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and autism have produced inconsistent results. He emphasized that if a strong link existed, it would likely have been consistently observed across various studies. Therefore, the current scientific consensus is that there is no causal relationship.

European and British health authorities, such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency, assured the public that taking paracetamol (the active ingredient in Tylenol) during pregnancy is safe and does not increase autism risk.

Additionally, the discussion extended to vaccines. President Trump expressed skepticism about the safety of vaccines, including concerns about aluminum adjuvants, and repeated claims from the anti-vaccine movement that vaccines could cause autism. However, scientific evidence has consistently shown that vaccines, including the MMR shot, are safe and effective.

WHO officials highlighted that vaccines have played a vital role in eliminating or reducing numerous infectious diseases and that the current immunization schedules are based on rigorous scientific review. Delays or disruptions in vaccination can increase the risk of disease outbreaks, which poses a greater threat to public health.

Currently, it is estimated that around 62 million people worldwide are living with autism spectrum disorder. The WHO stresses the importance of further research to understand the causes of autism and to improve care for those affected. Nonetheless, the organization strongly affirms that vaccines do not cause autism, and such claims are not supported by scientific evidence.