Dr. Anthony Fauci discussed concerns regarding COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for pregnant women in January 2021, as revealed in text messages released by a Senate committee. The messages included exchanges between Fauci, then-CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and Dr. Vivek Murthy, who later became the U.S. Surgeon General under President Biden.
Fauci noted that significant cytokine-related symptoms and fever after the second vaccine dose could theoretically be associated with miscarriage during the first trimester. Murthy inquired about the timing of vaccination during pregnancy and the evidence of adverse outcomes among vaccinated pregnant women.
Fauci indicated that there was no data suggesting that vaccination should be preferred earlier or later in pregnancy and dismissed concerns that mRNA vaccines could alter genes as misconceptions. He later acknowledged evidence of issues related to the second shot for pregnant women.
Walensky agreed that the cytokine response after the second dose was a valid concern. Following a World Health Organization recommendation against the use of Moderna’s vaccine in pregnant women due to limited data, Fauci emphasized the need to balance the risks of vaccination with those posed by COVID-19. He mentioned that over 10,000 pregnant women had been vaccinated without reported issues and cited guidance from health organizations allowing pregnant women to choose vaccination. Murthy expressed concern that a strong recommendation against vaccination could damage public confidence among pregnant women, a sentiment Walensky supported.