Newly released text messages from Dr. Anthony Fauci's government-issued cellphone, disclosed Monday by Senate officials, have sparked renewed scrutiny over his management of evolving COVID-19 evidence during the pandemic.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital in a Monday evening interview that Fauci was at times "too dogmatic" and slow to adjust COVID-19 vaccine guidance as scientific understanding progressed. Siegel acknowledged Fauci's expertise as a "top immunologist" and "top vaccinologist," but said, "I respect that a lot," adding that Fauci ventured beyond his areas of expertise on issues such as lockdowns, school closures, and masking.

Among the topics addressed in the released messages is COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The texts also reveal that Fauci estimated the COVID-19 death rate to be much lower than what he had previously told Congress.

These communications shed light on private discussions between Fauci and other top health officials as they navigated the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources