New Jersey Department of Health and New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority Remind Pregnant Patients in New Jersey about the Safety and Effectiveness of[...]

TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) today underscore the safety of using acetaminophen - commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol - as directed by their health care provider when pregnant, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and postpartum, and the benefits of hepatitis B vaccination during infancy.

The Murphy Administration is committed to offering clear, evidence-based recommendations and to ensuring life-saving clinical innovations remain accessible and affordable to New Jersey families. To clarify amidst confusion, fear, and uncertainty for patients stoked by recent federal debates, NJDOH and NJMIHIA continue to align with the leading pediatric and obstetric professional societies, including 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 demonstrates the continued benefits of early vaccinations and safe use of acetaminophen for pregnant people. Patients should continue to consult with their clinicians about individual 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 to remind New Jersey families to stay up to date on all recommended vaccines. As always, we encourage the public to consult with qualified health care professionals and clinicians and rely on trusted medical sources when making decisions about their health or the health of their children," said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. "In New Jersey, we will continue to follow the science. We are committed to monitoring ongoing research and rooting our recommendations in credible scientific data. In the meantime, we urge caution in sharing or acting on unverified health claims."

"We cannot allow misinformation to deter women from safe, clinically-tested methods to safeguard the health and well-being of both the mother and baby during pregnancy," said Lisa Asare, President & CEO, New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA). "NJMIHIA is committed to continuing the work of empowering expectant parents to make informed decisions in our collective effort to make the State of New Jersey the safest and most equitable place to deliver and raise a baby."

In light of growing uncertainty and confusion surrounding common vaccinations and medications used during pregnancy, postpartum, and infancy, NJMIHIA convened with a subset of clinicians and medical practitioners from the New Jersey Maternal Care Quality Collaborative (NJMCQC) Clinical Best Practices Workgroup on Friday, September 19, 2025, to review clear, evidence-based guidance aimed at protecting the health and safety of pregnant and lactating patients, their infants, and families.

It is the position of the NJDOH and NJMIHIA that:

• Pregnant patients and newborns should be offered Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination, consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
• Pregnant and breastfeeding patients as well as all children ages 6 months and older should be offered COVID-19 vaccination, consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
• Pregnant patients should not avoid indicated treatment for fever or pain, including acetaminophen, consistent with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Current evidence does not demonstrate a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Untreated fever and untreated pain increase adverse maternal and infant health risks. Medication decisions should be made in consultation with the patient's clinician. As noted by the AAP, "There is no single, root cause of autism, and there is no single medication that will give every autistic child or adult what they need."

COVID-19 vaccination is available to everyone in New Jersey ages 6 months and older based on actions taken by the Murphy Administration earlier this month to ensure vaccinations are available without a prescription and to promote insurance coverage. Hepatitis B vaccination continues to be offered universally at birth. Acetaminophen remains available over the counter.