The Pritzker Administration is taking steps to further distance Illinois from the Trump Administration's healthcare guidance ... but this time, it's not about COVID-19 vaccines, but autism.
Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suggested that vaccine mandates are linked to a rise in diagnosed cases of autism, and last week President Trump cited a Harvard University study when he urged pregnant moms not to take acetaminophen because of a potential link.
The author of the study disputed that conclusion, and so does the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"Those recommendations coming from the federal government are not backed by the full body of scientific evidence," said IDPH director and pediatrician Dr. Sameer Vohra, who says that the pain reliever commonly known as Tylenol is one of the few pain relievers pregnant patients can take to treat fever and pain, which can be harmful for mother and baby if left untreated.
"That is something that is backed by the full body of scientific evidence," said Dr. Vohra.
In addition, Governor J.B. Pritzker has appointed 13 people to an advisory board looking at how to protect what the governor calls the rights and dignity of people on the spectrum.
In the meantime, Dr. Vohra has this prescription for pregnant patients confused about the Tylenol recommendations: "Have conversations with your providers, with your OB-GYN ... those connections and those relationships are critical."