Paracetamol and autism: UUP’s Butler says ‘facts must come before fiction’ in healthcare debate

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Deputy Leader Robbie Butler has criticised US President Donald Trump for spreading “grossly inappropriate” medical misinformation after claims linking paracetamol and childhood vaccination programmes to autism.

The Lagan Valley MLA, who also serves as the party’s Children and Young People’s spokesperson, said such remarks have “zero scientific credibility” and risk undermining public trust in essential healthcare.

Mr Butler said:

“Donald Trump’s recent comments in which he wrongly linked paracetamol and childhood vaccination programmes with autism were not only grossly inappropriate but also had zero scientific credibility.

“The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), along with our own local Health Service, continues to provide clear guidance on both the safe use of paracetamol and the proven effectiveness of childhood vaccines.”

He highlighted the overwhelming evidence base in support of both paracetamol safety and vaccination programmes.

“Extensive UK studies show no credible evidence of a link between paracetamol use and autism. Equally, vaccines have been one of the greatest public health achievements, protecting children from serious illnesses such as measles, mumps, rubella and whooping cough.”

The UUP MLA said vaccine hesitancy remains a concern in Northern Ireland, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

“Here in Northern Ireland, we have worked hard to build confidence in vaccination programmes and protect children from preventable diseases. Yet as an MLA and as a father, vaccine hesitancy, especially in the time that has passed since Covid, is a real and growing concern for me.

“Reckless commentary from overseas should not be allowed to further undermine the progress that has been made in recent decades.”

Mr Butler also condemned the exploitation of vulnerable groups in anti-vaccine rhetoric.

“Punching down on vulnerable groups such as people with autism or learning disabilities and using them as collateral damage in an anti-vax narrative, whilst exploiting parents who may already feel neglected by the system, is crass and dangerous.”

The UUP Deputy Leader urged parents to rely on trusted medical advice rather than misleading claims.

“I urge parents across Northern Ireland to continue engaging with vaccination services, to trust our health professionals, and to seek advice from reputable sources. By doing so, we can safeguard the health of our children and communities for generations to come.”

Mr Butler’s comments follow similar intervention from UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who this week told ITV’s Lorraine that there was “no evidence whatsoever” to support Trump’s claims.

Mr Streeting said:

“There is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children, none. In fact, a major study was done back in 2024 in Sweden involving 2.4 million children and it did not uphold those claims.”

He also cautioned against listening to political figures on medical advice, stressing the importance of trusting professional expertise.

“I would just say to people watching, don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine. In fact, don’t even take my word for it as a politician, listen to British doctors, British scientists and the NHS. We’ve got to follow medical science. We’ve got to follow the evidence.”

Both Mr Butler and Mr Streeting have underlined the same message: that parents should place their trust in the NHS and qualified medical professionals rather than in misleading commentary from overseas.