Camilla Jessen
US vaccine schedule updated as Trump weighs in.
Fresh comments from the White House have reignited debate over medical advice and political influence on public health.
The remarks coincided with official changes to US vaccination recommendations for children.
Health authorities and professional bodies have responded by urging caution and clarity.
New presidential advice
US President Donald Trump issued new health guidance on Monday aimed at pregnant women and parents of young children. Writing on Truth Social, he warned against the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and early childhood and promoted changes to childhood vaccination timing.
In his post, Trump wrote: “Pregnant Women, DON’T USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, DON’T GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON, BREAK UP THE MMR SHOT INTO THREE TOTALLY SEPARATE SHOTS (NOT MIXED!), TAKE CHICKEN P SHOT SEPARATELY, TAKE HEPATITAS B SHOT AT 12 YEARS OLD, OR OLDER, AND, IMPORTANTLY, TAKE VACCINE IN 5 SEPARATE MEDICAL VISITS! President DJT.”
The president does not have a medical background.
Debate over Tylenol
Trump’s warning reflects claims about a possible link between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
The US Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged research showing an association.
“Evidence in recent years has suggested a correlation between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and subsequent diagnosis of conditions like autism and ADHD,” the FDA said, citing several large studies.
However, the agency added: “A causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.”
The FDA also noted that acetaminophen remains the only over the counter medicine approved to treat fever during pregnancy, warning that high fevers can pose risks to unborn children.
Medical consensus
Major bodies including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the UK’s NHS and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency say there is no conclusive evidence that Tylenol is unsafe in pregnancy when used as directed. It remains the recommended first choice pain and fever treatment.
Trump previously raised similar concerns in September, claiming the drug contributed to a “meteoric rise” in autism, an allegation denied by the manufacturer.
Vaccine schedule changes
The comments came as the Department of Health confirmed a revised US vaccine schedule. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, core childhood vaccines will continue to include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumococcal disease, HPV and varicella.
Other vaccines, including RSV, hepatitis A and B, dengue and meningococcal shots, will depend on individual risk. Decisions on Covid-19, influenza and rotavirus vaccines have been left to parents and doctors.
Sources: FDA, CDC, ACOG, NHS, MHRA, Unilad
