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, revealing private discussions about the risks of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
The messages, obtained from Fauci’s government-issued phone and published by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), show officials weighing theoretical risks of vaccination against the dangers of COVID-19 infection. Among the exchanges, Fauci noted that fever and immune responses following a second vaccine dose ‘theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester.’
Key Developments
- Fauci, Walensky, and Murthy discussed whether vaccination timing in pregnancy mattered, with Fauci stating there was ‘no data or theoretical reason’ to prefer early or later vaccination.
- Fauci acknowledged a potential theoretical risk of miscarriage linked to vaccine reactions, while emphasizing that no evidence of harm existed at the time.
Officials’ Private vs. Public Positions
The texts highlight a disconnect between private concerns and public messaging. While Fauci and other officials privately acknowledged uncertainties, they publicly urged pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing the lack of evidence of harm and the risks of COVID-19 infection.
Context of the Discussions
The conversations took place weeks after the first COVID-19 vaccines became available, when pregnant women had been excluded from initial vaccine trials. Officials noted that data collection efforts were underway to assess real-world safety.
Fauci’s Statements in the Texts
- Jan. 25, 2021: Fauci told Walensky and Murthy there was no data or theoretical reason to favor vaccination at a specific stage of pregnancy.
- Jan. 26, 2021: Fauci raised concerns about fever and cytokine responses after the second dose, stating they ‘theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester.’
- Murthy and Walensky acknowledged the concerns, with Murthy noting he had been telling pregnant women that ‘there hasn’t been evidence of concerning adverse outcomes in the trials,’ though he admitted the number of pregnant subjects was likely limited.
Public Health Agencies’ Stance at the Time
At the time of the texts, U.S. health agencies, including the CDC and FDA, recommended COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women, citing the benefits outweighing potential risks. The WHO, however, had recommended against using Moderna’s vaccine in pregnant women due to limited data, a point Murthy flagged in the exchange.
Ongoing Investigations
The release of the texts comes amid Republican-led investigations into Fauci’s handling of the pandemic, including a Senate contempt vote and scrutiny over his COVID-era communications. Senators Johnson and Paul have stated they are reviewing over 34,000 text messages and 522 voicemails from Fauci’s government phone, raising questions about potential data deletions and the completeness of the records.