The Infodemiology Brief —

Unproven Tylenol-autism link spikes debate online

Over the last month, high-profile vaccine opponents have attempted to link COVID-19 and childhood vaccines to a range of health conditions—without credible evidence. In late September, the Trump administration misleadingly claimed that acetaminophen use during pregnancy and vaccines cause autism, prompting swift criticism from health experts and medical organizations. Soon after, a new study reignited online myths that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer, an interpretation the study’s authors reject. Meanwhile, an article about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy led to a debate about vaccine safety and resurfaced the myth that the vaccines increase miscarriage risk.

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Trending narratives from the past month

Health experts criticize misleading claims linking Tylenol and autism
In a September 22 press conference, President Donald Trump and federal health officials misleadingly claimed that acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood vaccination are linked to autism. Health experts and health care providers denounced the claim as unproven and irresponsible, warning it could cause confusion and anxiety among pregnant patients who have limited safe options for pain and fever relief. In the days after the press conference, several viral posts amplified the claim, suggesting without evidence that giving children acetaminophen after vaccination can cause autism. Some posts referenced a genetic mutation that vaccine opponents inaccurately claim causes severe vaccine reactions, alleging that acetaminophen and vaccines interact to trigger the mutation and cause autism. Read the fact checks here, here, and here.

New study fuels myth that COVID-19 vaccine causes ‘turbo cancer’
A large South Korean study published in late September is being misused by vaccine opponents to promote the myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause or accelerate cancer. Several conspiracy and partisan news outlets falsely reported that the study “proved” a post-vaccine cancer “spike.” In reality, the study found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes cancer. It observed that people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 were more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer within a year of vaccination. Many social media users noted that the association was likely explained by differences in age and health status between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Older adults and people with chronic conditions, who are more likely to get vaccinated, also face higher baseline cancer risk. The authors cautioned that the study’s timeline was “relatively short for evaluating cancer incidence.” Cancer experts online pointed out that most cancers take years to develop to the point of detection, making it extremely implausible that cancer diagnosed within a year of vaccination was caused by the vaccine. The study’s authors said that they couldn’t rule out “the possibility of reverse causation or surveillance bias.” Read the fact checks here and here.

False claims circulate about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy
A September 26 article in an online women’s magazine highlighted evidence showing that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of infection and pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, birth defects, and stillbirth. Many social media users responded positively, sharing stories of their own experiences with vaccination while pregnant. However, some posts repeated the long-debunked claim that COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of miscarriages and stillbirths. Several posts encouraged people to ignore experts like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and falsely suggested that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe for anyone. These claims spread as a September Annenberg poll found that most Americans believe COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is dangerous. Read the fact checks here and here.

What you might say in response

Tylenol during pregnancy is proven to be safe. There is no evidence that Tylenol or vaccines cause autism. 

  • Doctors and medical organizations continue to recommend acetaminophen as safe during pregnancy when taken as directed.
  • The studies used to suggest a link are flawed and do not show cause and effect. In fact, decades of evidence—including a recent study of nearly 2.5 million children—show that acetaminophen use during pregnancy is safe and not linked to autism. 
  • Autism is complex with many possible factors, but vaccines are not one of them.
  • Your health care provider is the best source for health-related questions.

COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause cancer. This is an anti-vaccine myth with no basis in reality. 

  • The overwhelming scientific consensus—backed by over five years of clinical trials, peer-reviewed research, and global safety monitoring—shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and not linked to any cancer. 
  • The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society agree that there is no evidence of any link between COVID-19 vaccines and an increase in cancer diagnosis, progression, remission, or death. 
  • COVID-19 vaccines are among the most closely studied vaccines in history. After five years of research and safety monitoring worldwide, experts continue to find no evidence that they cause cancer.
  • Similar myths have circulated for decades about other vaccines, like polio and HPV, but none have ever been proven true.
  • “Turbo cancer” isn’t real—it’s a made-up term used by anti-vaccine groups.

The evidence is clear: COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is the best protection for both mother and baby. 

  • ACOG, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and American Academy of Family Physicians continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
  • Pregnant people are eligible for the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines. Because pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness and complications from COVID-19, vaccination is especially important.
  • Research shows that getting vaccinated while pregnant lowers your risk of pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and stillbirth.
  • Vaccination also helps protect your newborn when they are too young to be vaccinated. Babies under 6 months are at the highest risk for COVID-19 complications after adults older than 75.

What we’re reading

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Studies and trainings

Sign up for the Trusted Messenger Program to improve your communication skills and strengthen your status as a trusted messenger. The first online training module, Maximizing Trust & Reducing Resistance, is now live. The module is free, can be taken on your schedule, and offers 1.0 CME credits. And if you missed TMP’s recent webinar on navigating immunization policy, you can watch the recording here. The expert panel explored vaccine trust, messaging strategies, and approaches to communicating with vaccine-questioning patients.

Interested in learning more about how to debunk false claims with patients? Check out the Infodemiology Training Program. In videos that range from five to 10 minutes each, the program introduces health care providers to the basics of infodemiology and provides actionable skills to help improve patient care. 

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