Children's Tylenol shortage cause for concern amid tripledemic

Sick boy with thermometer laying in bed and mother hand taking temperature. Mother checking temperature of her sick son who has thermometer in his mouth. Sick child with fever and illness while resting in bed. (Credit: Ridofranz—Getty Images)

Just months after a formula shortage rocked parents’ world this summer, decreased availability of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) for children is drawing concerns amid a tripledemic of flu, COVID and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

“I just saw a post on our local neighborhood Facebook group with a photo of a wiped-out children’s acetaminophen section from a local pharmacy, asking where they should look next,” says Anna Patil, a Brooklyn mom of two. “That’s pretty scary and is making me want to ration our OTC meds a little.”