NJ Health Officials Issue Notice On Recent Tylenol Claims

New Jersey health officials are contradicting President Donald Trump's unproven claims linking Tylenol use and vaccines with an increased risk of autism.

The New Jersey Department of Health(NJDOH) and New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) issued a notice on Tuesday saying the continued use of acetaminophen – commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol – as directed by their health care provider is safe when pregnant. The notice also addressed the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and postpartum, and the benefits of hepatitis B vaccination during infancy.

"The Murphy Administration is committed to offering clear, evidence-based recommendations and to ensuring life-saving clinical innovations remain accessible and affordable to New Jersey families," according to the NJDOH.

"Amidst confusion, fear, and uncertainty for patients stoked by recent federal debates," the NJDOH and NJMIHIA said they continue to align with the leading pediatric and obstetric professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).

"We cannot allow misinformation to deter women from safe, clinically-tested methods to safeguard the health and well-being of both the mother and baby during pregnancy," said Lisa Asare, President & CEO, NJMIHIA.

The NJDOH and NJMIHIA pointed to evidence-based research that demonstrates the continued benefits of early vaccinations and safe use of acetaminophen for pregnant people.

"Acetaminophen has been widely used for decades and is considered safe and effective when used as directed and as needed during pregnancy. We also continue to remind New Jersey families to stay up to date on all recommended vaccines," said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. "In New Jersey, we will continue to follow the science. We are committed to monitoring ongoing research and rooting our recommendations in credible scientific data. In the meantime, we urge caution in sharing or acting on unverified health claims."

Trump's Claims

Trump made claims at a news conference on Monday linking Tylenol, vaccines and autism without providing any new evidence.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke Monday, saying that at Trump’s urging, he is launching an “all-agency” effort to identify the causes of autism involving the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Don’t take Tylenol, don’t take it,” Trump said. “Fight like hell not to take it.”

He repeated the advice nearly a dozen times, and also encouraged mothers not to give their infants the drug. The president acknowledged the advice was based on his personal views.

“I’m just making these statements from me,” Trump said. “I’m not making them from these doctors. Cause when they, uh, talk about, you know, different results, different studies, I talk about a lot of common sense. And they have that, too. They have that too, a lot.”

Experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have long recommended acetaminophen as a safe option during pregnancy. Other pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen, are not recommended during pregnancy and can cause serious harm to a developing baby, especially after 20 weeks.

Untreated fevers during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, increase the risk for miscarriages, preterm birth and other problems, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Speaking alongside Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, Trump stopped short of opposing all vaccines. But he said key immunizations should be delayed, or combination shots should be given separately — even though it has been proven that vaccines have no link to autism.

“Don’t let them pump your baby up with the largest pile of stuff you’ve ever seen in your life,” he said.

Tylenol's Statement

Tylenol maker Kenvue disputed any link between the drug and autism and warned that if pregnant mothers don’t use Tylenol when in need, they could face a dangerous choice between suffering fevers or using riskier alternatives.

In a statement, the company said:

“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers.

“Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy. Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby, or use riskier alternatives.

“The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree. We will continue to explore all options to protect the health interests of American women and children.”

NJDOH and NJMIHIA Recommendations

The NJDOH and NJMIHIA offered the following evidence-based guidance:

• Pregnant patients and newborns should be offered Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination, consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
• Pregnant and breastfeeding patients as well as all children ages 6 months and older should be offered COVID-19 vaccination, consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
• Pregnant patients should not avoid indicated treatment for fever or pain, including acetaminophen, consistent with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Current evidence does not demonstrate a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Untreated fever and untreated pain increase adverse maternal and infant health risks. Medication decisions should be made in consultation with the patient’s clinician. As noted by the AAP, “There is no single, root cause of autism, and there is no single medication that will give every autistic child or adult what they need.”

— With reporting by Beth Dalby