WHO rejects Trump’s claim linking vaccines and autism, says science ‘shouldn’t really be questioned’

“We know that vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines save countless lives. This is something that science has proven, and these things should not really be questioned,” he said.

Trump on Monday tied autism to childhood vaccines and the use of Tylenol by pregnant women, thrusting long-debunked claims into the centre of US health policy. He said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would soon notify doctors that acetaminophen use during pregnancy “can be associated” with a higher risk of autism.

Without citing medical evidence, Trump added that the FDA would issue a strong advisory recommending that pregnant women avoid Tylenol unless it is “medically necessary”.

“Ideally you don’t take it at all,” Trump said.

He further insisted there was “no downside” to following his advice, “other than a mother will have to, as I say, tough it out a little bit” by avoiding the pain reliever during pregnancy.

Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used over-the-counter medications for pain relief and fever reduction. According to the Tylenol website, it is commonly taken to ease minor aches and pains such as headaches, backaches, arthritis discomfort, toothaches, muscle pain, and cramps related to menstruation. The drug is also widely used to temporarily lower fever.