The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) have reaffirmed that acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, remains safe for use during pregnancy when taken according to medical guidance. The agencies also highlighted the continued benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and postpartum periods, as well as the importance of hepatitis B vaccination in childhood.
The Murphy Administration stated its commitment to providing clear, evidence-based recommendations and ensuring access to clinical innovations for families in New Jersey. According to NJDOH and NJMIHIA, their guidance aligns with leading pediatric and obstetric professional associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
Evidence-based research supports early vaccination and safe use of acetaminophen for pregnant individuals. Patients are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers regarding personal health decisions.
“Acetaminophen has been widely used for decades and is considered safe and effective when used as directed and as needed during pregnancy. We also continue reminding New Jersey families that it is important to stay up-to-date with all recommended vaccines. As always, we encourage the public to consult with healthcare professionals, qualified physicians, and trusted medical sources when making decisions about their health or their children’s health,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “In New Jersey, we will continue relying on science. We are committed to monitoring ongoing research and will base our recommendations on credible scientific data. Meanwhile, we urge caution when sharing or acting on unverified health statements.”
“We cannot allow misinformation to discourage women from clinically proven safe methods to safeguard both maternal and infant health during pregnancy,” said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of NJMIHIA. “NJMIHIA is committed to continuing collective efforts empowering future parents so that New Jersey becomes the safest and most equitable place to give birth and raise a baby.”
In response to increased uncertainty around vaccines and medications used during pregnancy, postpartum, and infancy, NJMIHIA convened a group of physicians from the New Jersey Maternal Care Quality Collaborative’s Clinical Best Practices Task Force on September 19, 2025. The meeting aimed at reviewing evidence-based guidelines designed to protect pregnant patients, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and their families.
NJDOH’s position includes:
– Pregnant patients and newborns should be offered hepatitis B vaccine according to AAP and ACOG guidelines.
– Pregnant or breastfeeding patients—and all children aged six months or older—should be offered COVID-19 vaccine following recommendations from AAP, ACOG, and SMFM.
– Pregnant patients should not avoid indicated treatment for fever or pain—including acetaminophen—per ACOG and SMFM advice. Current evidence does not show a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD or intellectual disability. Untreated fever or pain can increase adverse risks for maternal or child health; medication decisions should be made in consultation with a patient’s physician.
As noted by AAP: “There is no single root cause for autism nor a single medication that provides what every autistic child or adult needs.”
COVID-19 vaccines are available in New Jersey for everyone aged six months or older due in part to recent actions by the Murphy Administration making vaccines accessible without prescription requirements while promoting insurance coverage availability. Hepatitis B vaccination continues universally at birth; acetaminophen remains available over-the-counter.
