Senators release Fauci texts doubting COVID vaccine safety

Republican Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) on Monday released text messages Dr. Anthony Fauci sent and received in 2021 regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Obtained from Fauci’s government cellphone, the messages are among more than 34,000 texts on the device, according to Johnson’s office. The lawmakers say the texts show Fauci was privately skeptical about early vaccine guidance for pregnant women even as public health agencies urged vaccination. The release comes after years of Republican criticism that Fauci and the Biden administration downplayed risks or misled the public during the pandemic.

The texts were first subpoenaed by Senate Republicans in 2022 as part of their oversight of pandemic response efforts. They have argued that public health officials, including Fauci, failed to adequately address concerns about vaccine safety for pregnant women in real time. The debate over COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy remains contentious, with some studies later suggesting possible increased risks of preterm birth or other complications, though the overall safety profile was generally considered favorable. The lawmakers say the texts prove Fauci had internal doubts that conflicted with public assurances.

In one exchange from February 2021, Fauci told a colleague he was “not convinced” the vaccine was safe for pregnant women, citing limited data. The same month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies recommended vaccination for pregnant women, emphasizing that benefits outweighed risks. The texts show Fauci also expressed frustration with media coverage that amplified rare side effects, saying it could “fuel anti-vax sentiment.” Johnson’s office called the messages evidence of a “culture of deception” in pandemic messaging.

Federal agencies have since updated guidance to reflect more nuanced advice, but the release of these texts is likely to fuel further political debate over pandemic response and government transparency. Paul has long accused Fauci of misleading Congress, while Johnson has focused on what he calls “suppression” of early concerns. The lawmakers are pressing for broader access to Fauci’s records and may use these texts to argue for reforms in how public health crises are communicated in the future. The move also comes as Republicans push for investigations into COVID-19 origins and response ahead of the 2024 election.