In January 2021, Anthony Fauci privately discussed concerns regarding COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for pregnant women, focusing on issues such as fever after a second dose and a theoretical risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. These details emerged from text messages released by a Senate committee on Monday, August 10th, 2026.

The exchange involved Fauci, then-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Vivek Murthy, who later became former President Joe Biden's surgeon general, and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. Fauci noted that significant cytokine-related symptoms and fever following a second vaccine dose "theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester." Murthy inquired about the timing of vaccination during pregnancy and whether adverse outcomes had been observed among vaccinated pregnant women. He also addressed misconceptions that mRNA vaccines could alter genes.

Walensky agreed that concerns about fever after the second dose were "definitely a good point." Murthy acknowledged hearing worries about mRNA causing mutations in developing fetuses and called Fauci's cytokine response observation "a really good point."

The following day, after Murthy highlighted a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation advising against Moderna’s vaccine use in pregnant women due to limited data, Fauci stressed the need to weigh vaccination risks against COVID-19 risks. He stated that over 10,000 pregnant women had been vaccinated with "no issues" reported, and that guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists allowed pregnant women to choose vaccination. Animal toxicology studies had not raised concerns.

Murthy expressed surprise at the WHO recommendation and warned that a strong stance against vaccination based on limited data could be "potentially quite damaging to public confidence among pregnant women." Walensky agreed and said she would raise the issue at an upcoming ACIP meeting.

Sources