In 2024, the U.S. welcomed 3.6 million new citizens. That’s how many new babies were born in the United States. But none of those new parents had to concern themselves with the new and vast differences of opinion on vaccines, autism, Tylenol and established science that we find ourselves wrestling with today.
Last week Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., flanked by a supportive President, suggested pregnant women should avoid Tylenol, linking it to an increased risk of autism. The stridency of his pronouncement was quickly met by a very dubious medical community.
But it is not what many people believe it to be. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communications and social interaction. It has a very well-defined range or spectrum.
In fact, many well-known people, historical and contemporary, are on the autism spectrum. Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, actress Daryl Hannah and comedian Jerry Seinfeld to name just a few have been identified as being on the spectrum.
In making his announcement from the Oval Office, Kennedy widened the gulf between the administration and the scientific community.
The president, in full endorsement underscored Kennedy’s words. “Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism,” said firmly. “Taking Tylenol is not good.” Additionally, Trump encouraged pregnant women to “tough it out” rather than taking Tylenol. “You’ll be uncomfortable. It won’t be easy, maybe…don’t take Tylenol. There’s no downside.”
Almost immediately, the medical establishment, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and doctors in every state quickly disputed Trump’s questionable claim “Not a single, reputable study has concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” the group said. Acetaminophen is used to treat pain and fever and is the active ingredient in Tylenol.
“I am in full agreement with them,” said pediatrician and public health officer Dr. Yolandra Gomez on the ACOG position. “To tell women to just deal with the pain,” she said, “is outdated, mean, and violates our oath as medical providers to do no harm.” Gomez practice serves New Mexico’s sprawling Jicarilla Apache Nation, an area covering nearly 900,000 acres in central New Mexico.
Failing to manage pain during pregnancy carries long term health risks for both mother and baby, warns ACOG. Untreated pain can increase stress hormones which may harm the fetus. Also, untreated fever during pregnancy is linked to higher risks of miscarriage, birth defects and premature births.
Days before the White House announcement linking Tylenol and acetaminophen to autism, Kennedy also made news by setting new guidelines on the MMR vaccine. The vaccine, which has been part of a vaccine protocol since 1971, protects against measles, mumps and rubella, also chickenpox.
The vaccine is normally given to infants between twelve to fifteen months of age and again as a booster at age four. Kennedy insisted that it should only be given at age four. He also advised the MMR shot to be administered in separate vaccines. Again, this position goes against established vaccine protocols, including the CDCs.
Dr. Gomez believes the MMR vaccine protocols that have been the standard for more than fifty years and should be maintained, both for their efficacy and practicality. Breaking the vaccines into separate doctor visits is also currently not possible.
The MMR protocol, said the New Mexico pediatrician, is safe. But like everything in medicine, not perfect. “The risk,” she said, “is small.” Febrile seizures, often associated with high fever in young children, can occur. “Something like eight out of 10,000 children under four…may have a febrile seizure.” But there is no long-term effect.
In 2000, the CDC declared measles eliminated in the U.S. with the vaccine being the primary reasons. But last summer, a number of states, including New Mexico, reported measles outbreaks. Almost all victims were young, unvaccinated children.
Despite Kennedy’s and the President’s suggestions about reimagining a new method of immunizing children—administering individual doses—sounding good, the science says it makes no sense and may even increase outbreaks. “Stretching them out,” Dr. Gomez says, “assumes that families can make additional treks to the medical office…and that insurance will pay.” Additionally, she said procrastinating with immunization is often unending and often totally forgotten. “This will further increase the number of unvaccinated children” and boost chances for future outbreaks of preventable illnesses.
Working with a rural Native American population, Dr. Gomez, said, and keeping it healthy is her top priority. In addition to sharing as much information as she can with her patients, she also encourages “all my families to go to the American Academy of Pediatrics website to get the most updated, clear, and correct information.”
On vaccines, both for young children and older populations, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says it stands with established science. “Vaccines protect you and your loved one from serious diseases like measles, polio, flu, COVID-19, and more.” It also advises that if someone has no health insurance, there are federal vaccine options that provide low or no cost immunizations.
While Kennedy and his newly formed group of HHS advisors generally defy or even deny the science of immunization, they are not in line with most of the rest of the world.
Though not universal, the World Population Review, an organization that charts worldwide environmental issues, reported that 90 percent or more of childhood populations it studies are vaccinated. China, as one example, has a 97 percent vaccine rate with only 638 autism cases per 100,000 population.
Areas where immunization are not part of health protocols are in some Middle Eastern nations along with a few nations in Africa.
