Tylenol: WHO Refutes Trump’s Claims Linking It to Autism

The World Health Organization (WHO) has rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Tylenol and vaccines are linked to autism, emphasizing that there is no scientific evidence supporting such assertions.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, acknowledged that a few observational studies had suggested a potential association between prenatal acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) use and autism. However, he stressed that the evidence remains inconsistent and that subsequent research has found no such relationship.

“If the link between acetaminophen and autism were real, it would have been consistently observed across multiple studies,” Jasarevic said, warning against drawing premature conclusions. He reiterated that Tylenol remains one of the safest painkillers recommended for use during pregnancy.

Trump, during a press conference on Monday, urged pregnant women to “tough it out” and avoid Tylenol due to the unproven autism risk. He also suggested major changes to standard childhood vaccination schedules, repeating anti-vaccine talking points and casting doubt on widely studied vaccine ingredients such as aluminum adjuvants.

“Vaccines do not cause autism,” Jasarevic stated firmly, highlighting that WHO’s immunization schedules have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. He cautioned that delaying or altering vaccination schedules without scientific justification increases the risk of preventable diseases for children and communities alike.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental condition affecting communication and behavior, is widely understood by medical experts to be predominantly influenced by genetic factors rather than common medications or vaccines.

Health professionals have expressed concern that misinformation from political figures could undermine public confidence in vaccines and safe pregnancy care, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established scientific guidelines.