Trump's comments on vaccines and paracetamol risk child health, UK officials warn

President Donald Trump spoke in the Oval Office about paracetamol and vaccines in a way that health officials say could mislead parents and undermine established medical guidance. In remarks widely covered by international outlets, he said paracetamol, known as Tylenol in the United States, is “no good” and urged pregnant women to “fight like hell” to avoid taking it except in cases of extreme fever. He also questioned the safety and appropriateness of vaccines, claiming that fragile babies are being pumped full of liquid and suggesting vaccines should be given in single doses rather than as combinations. He singled out the MMR vaccine—measles, mumps and rubella—as one that should be administered separately rather than as a combined shot. Those statements drew immediate criticism from health officials and experts who stressed that they run counter to current medical consensus and decades of immunisation success.

The remarks came as U.K. health authorities and medical groups reiterated a clear position: paracetamol remains the safest over‑the‑counter analgesic for pregnant women when used as directed, and vaccines, including the MMR, are critical tools in protecting children from serious diseases. In response to Trump’s comments, U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said, “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.” The sentiment echoed a broader insistence on science‑based guidance for pregnant people and families deciding on medicines and vaccines.

The discussion over paracetamol has a separate evidentiary footprint. A recent review of multiple studies has pointed to an association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism in children, but researchers stress that an association is not proof of causation. Other studies have found no clear link. Nevertheless, Trump’s rhetoric went beyond presenting scientific uncertainty, urging avoidance of paracetamol during pregnancy unless symptoms could not be “tough[ed] out.” Public health officials emphasized that the medicine’s safety profile is well established when used at recommended doses, and that aspirin or ibuprofen are generally not advised during pregnancy due to potential effects on fetal circulation.

The controversy intensified around vaccines. Health officials cautioned that unfounded claims about vaccines can erode public confidence in immunisation—one of the major health advances of the modern era. They noted that delaying or reducing uptake could increase the risk of preventable disease outbreaks, including measles, whooping cough and polio, which have seen worrying resurgences in some areas. Combination vaccines, they argued, reduce the number of injections and missed opportunities for protection, while single‑dose regimens would leave windows of vulnerability for longer than is ideal in childhood schedules.

The remarks also invoked a familiar, controversial thread in vaccine discourse: the long‑discredited notion that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism. The reference touched on a shadow of misinformation that originated with Andrew Wakefield, the British physician whose now‑discredited 1998 study linked the MMR vaccine to autism and led to his removal from the medical register. In public health circles, that history is cited to illustrate how dangerous unfounded claims can be in shaping parental decisions. Experts stressed that current guidance relies on robust evidence showing no causal link between vaccines and autism and underscored that the science of immunisation has protected millions of children from deadly diseases.

Public health advocates warned that high‑level statements without supporting data can sow confusion at a moment when trust in vaccines and medicines is crucial. They cautioned that even cautious or partial statements about potential risks must be clearly framed within the weight of scientific evidence. If parents misinterpret such remarks and postpone vaccination or avoid necessary medications, communities risk lapses in herd immunity and preventable illness outbreaks.

Health policy experts and patient organizations underscored the balance between acknowledging scientific uncertainty and giving clear, actionable guidance. They called for consistent, evidence‑based messaging from political leaders and health authorities to preserve confidence in immunisation programs and maternal‑child health recommendations. The overarching message from medical bodies remains that vaccines protect children and that paracetamol, when used correctly, is a safe option for managing fever and pain during pregnancy.

In the meantime, public health watchers emphasize that vaccination schedules and pain management guidelines are built on decades of research and real‑world effectiveness. They advise parents to consult clinicians for individualized guidance, especially when pregnancy or early childhood health is involved. As the global health community continues to monitor vaccination rates and adverse trend reports, officials say responsible communication of science is essential to sustaining the hard‑won gains in public health and protecting future generations from preventable diseases.