Rhode Islanders urged to get COVID shots and to ignore unproven claim that Tylenol® causes autism
Dr. Larkin Statement on Acetaminophen and Autism
"The assertion that autism is caused by the use of
acetaminophen, or Tylenol®, during pregnancy is not backed by the full body of
scientific evidence. Autism is complex, and there has been no evidence of a
single cause in the decades it has been researched.
Tylenol® is a safe and trusted medication option for
pregnant women, according to the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, and other trusted medical organizations.
There are few safe medication options for the treatment of
fever and pain during pregnancy.
Untreated fever and pain during pregnancy can be harmful to
pregnant women and to fetuses. If someone is pregnant and has questions about
pain management, they should talk to a healthcare professional."
RIDOH Issues 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
"COVID-19 vaccine can help prevent serious illness and
hospitalization, and it is an important tool to support our healthcare system
as a whole in Rhode Island," said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD.
"Rhode Island has some of the best vaccination rates in the country
because we make vaccine access a priority, and because we base our
recommendations on science and data."
Children 6 months to 2 years of age and adults 19 years of
age and older (including pregnant women) should be vaccinated. For healthy
children between 2 years and 18 years of age, parents should talk to a
healthcare professional about whether COVID-19 vaccine should be administered.
Vaccination is particularly important for people 65 years of
age and older and anyone who is at higher risk for severe illness from
COVID-19. Health conditions that put someone at higher risk for severe COVID-19
include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma or chronic lung disease, and
being immunocompromised.
Additionally, pregnancy puts someone at higher risk for
severe illness from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy.
Vaccination can protect women and their infants after birth.
These COVID-19 vaccine recommendations come after Governor
Dan McKee, RIDOH, and the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC)
announced steps last week to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccine.
RIDOH and OHIC issued a Bulletin to third-party payers to
ensure coverage of COVID-19 vaccine for Rhode Islanders 6 months of age and
older. Additionally, RIDOH issued a standing order to also allow pharmacists to
administer COVID-19 vaccine to all patients who are 3 years of age and older.
While pharmacies can still set their own vaccination
criteria and may require a patient to self-attest to having a condition that
puts you at risk for severe COVID-19, a majority of Rhode Islanders fall into
at least one of these categories of conditions and can be vaccinated in a
pharmacy.
Rhode Island's recommendations for the 2025-2026 COVID-19
vaccine are in alignment with the recommendations from several major medical
organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of
Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Collectively. These recommendations are also in alignment with the guidance
issued by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a regional coalition of
public health agencies.
The 2025-2026 COVID-19 is available in pharmacies throughout
Rhode Island and should be in the offices of many primary care providers in the
coming weeks. If a child is uninsured or does not have a healthcare
professional, RIDOH can connect that child to a place to be vaccinated, free of
charge. To learn more, visit health.ri.gov/vaccines or call RIDOH at
401-222-5960.
For more information on where and how to get vaccinated,
visit: https://health.ri.gov/immunization#vaccine-clinic
Related links
- Department
or agency: Department of Health
- Online: http://www.health.ri.gov
- Release
date: 09-19-2025
