Islamabad: The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorically dismissed claims of a link between autism and either the use of paracetamol during pregnancy or childhood vaccinations, saying there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support such theories.
The clarification comes days after former US President Donald Trump once again repeated the discredited claim that vaccines were fueling autism in children.
In its statement issued from Geneva on September 24, WHO emphasized that despite extensive research, including large-scale studies over the past decade, no consistent association has been found between the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) during pregnancy and autism.
Globally, nearly 62 million people—about 1 in 127—are living with autism spectrum disorder, but the exact causes remain unknown, with multiple factors believed to be involved.
WHO recommended that pregnant women continue to follow the advice of their doctors or health workers regarding safe use of medicines, stressing that any medicine during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, should be taken only under medical guidance.
The UN health agency also reiterated that vaccines do not cause autism, pointing to decades of evidence from high-quality studies across multiple countries.
“The original studies suggesting such a link were flawed and have been discredited,” WHO noted, adding that since 1999, independent experts advising the organization have repeatedly confirmed that vaccines—including those with thiomersal or aluminum—are safe and not linked to autism or other developmental disorders.
The agency underlined that immunization schedules are carefully developed through rigorous scientific review and have saved at least 154 million lives over the last 50 years. Any disruption or delay in vaccination, it warned, increases infection risks for children and vulnerable groups.
Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders will be on the agenda at the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases and mental health this week, where WHO will push for stronger global efforts to understand autism and provide evidence-based support to autistic individuals and their families.
WHO said it stands with the autistic community, which it described as “a dignified community entitled to evidence-based considerations free of stigma,” in stark contrast to Trump’s repeated allegations that have fueled misinformation and undermined public confidence in life-saving vaccines.
Ends