A batch of text messages exchanged in January 2021 between Dr. Anthony Fauci, then-CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has been released by Republican senators, highlighting internal discussions about COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women. The messages were obtained from Fauci’s government-issued phone and shared by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Monday.
Key developments:
- Fauci stated there was no data or theoretical reason to prefer vaccinating pregnant women earlier versus later in pregnancy.
- He noted that fever and immune responses following a second vaccine dose could theoretically be associated with miscarriage in the first trimester, though he emphasized this was not confirmed by evidence.
The exchange occurred amid limited data on COVID-19 vaccine safety for pregnant women, as they had been excluded from initial clinical trials. Officials discussed balancing potential risks of vaccination with the risks posed by COVID-19 infection itself.
Immediate Context and Release
The text messages were released as part of ongoing congressional investigations into Fauci’s handling of the pandemic. The senators obtained the messages from Fauci’s government-issued phone, which contained over 34,000 text messages and 522 voicemails. Investigators have not confirmed whether any data was deleted from the device.
The conversation took place over January 25–26, 2021, weeks after the first COVID-19 vaccines became available. It centered on whether there was any scientific basis for recommending vaccination at a specific stage of pregnancy, as well as concerns about potential adverse effects.
Official Statements vs. Internal Discussions
In the messages, Fauci told Walensky and Murthy that “there are no data or theoretical reason to believe that vaccinating early versus later in pregnancy would be preferred.” He also addressed misconceptions about mRNA vaccines altering genes, calling such concerns unfounded.
Murthy had previously told pregnant women that “there hasn’t been evidence of concerning adverse outcomes in the trials,” acknowledging that the number of pregnant participants in trials was likely limited. Walensky referenced the CDC’s pregnancy registry, which was tracking outcomes among vaccinated pregnant women.
Fauci’s internal acknowledgment of a theoretical risk of miscarriage following the second vaccine dose was discussed alongside assurances that no evidence of harm had been observed. The officials also noted that fever and immune responses—common after vaccination—could pose a theoretical risk in early pregnancy, though this remained unconfirmed.
Public Messaging and Ongoing Debate
At the time of the internal discussion, public health agencies, including the CDC and the World Health Organization, recommended COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women, citing the benefits of protection against severe illness from COVID-19. However, the WHO had previously advised against using Moderna’s vaccine in pregnant women due to limited data, a point Murthy raised in the conversation.
The newly released texts have sparked renewed debate over transparency in public health communications during the pandemic. Critics argue that internal concerns were not fully disclosed to the public, while supporters of Fauci and other officials note that the discussions reflected the uncertainty and evolving science of early 2021.
Broader Investigations and Contempt Vote
The release of the texts follows broader congressional scrutiny of Fauci’s role in the pandemic response. This includes the review of over 1,000 pages of his COVID-era diaries, a Senate hearing where Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, and a Senate committee vote to hold him in contempt of Congress. The investigations focus on whether officials withheld or misrepresented information during the pandemic.