The World Health Organization (WHO) has addressed controversial remarks made by President Donald Trump suggesting that the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy may cause autism.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic clarified that while some observational studies have raised questions about paracetamol use in pregnancy, many others have found no consistent link. Overall, the evidence remains inconsistent, and a strong connection would have manifested consistently across multiple studies if it existed.
Jasarevic emphasized the importance of cautious medication use during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, and always under medical supervision. On vaccines, the WHO firmly rejected claims that routine childhood immunizations cause autism, reaffirming the decades of robust evidence supporting vaccine safety.
Kate O’Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals, highlighted the critical role of vaccines in public health, attributing the prevention of over 150 million deaths in the past 50 years to immunization efforts worldwide. She warned of the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, which threaten to reverse hard-won gains in vaccine coverage and disease control.
O’Brien stressed that vaccines save lives by preventing severe diseases and disabilities, reduce strain on health systems, protect families from extreme poverty, and contribute to economic growth.
She cited examples of successful vaccination outcomes, including millions of lives saved from diseases like polio, measles, meningitis, and cervical cancer.
The WHO calls for continued global commitment to vaccination programs and urges the public and policymakers to combat misinformation, which poses real and tragic consequences for health worldwide.
This response by the WHO underscores the reliance on rigorous science and evidence-based guidance over unverified claims, affirming the safety and effectiveness of paracetamol during pregnancy when used appropriately, and the critical importance of vaccines for global health.
