First batch of COVID-era Fauci texts shows private concerns about vaccination while pregnant

The first batch of uncovered text messages sent to or from Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a disconnect between health officials’ public and private statements about the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy.The batch contained messages exchanged between Fauci, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In them, they discussed the safety of vaccinating pregnant women with the new COVID-19 vaccines. Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Rand Paul (R-KY) published their first batch of texts on Monday obtained from Fauci’s government iPhone.In a message on Jan. 25, Fauci told the two that “there are no data or theoretical reason to believe that vaccinating early versus later in pregnancy would be preferred.” He then dismissed concerns about a “genetic” vaccine having the ability to “get into your genes,” saying this was a misperception that could heighten anxiety among pregnant women.Shortly after, Fauci wrote, “I asked around a bit more and another issue came up that you need to be aware of. Since many people have significant cytokines storm and fever after the 2nd dose, this theoretically could be associated with miscarriage in the 1st trimester.”While Johnson and Paul said it would take “time to carefully review the large volume of information,” they justified the release of the first trove of texts by arguing that they could affect public health. The two said the phone contained over 34,000 text messages and 522 voicemails but must be parsed through carefully to protect privacy concerns. This first batch only contained 11 messages to or from Fauci.“The text chain released today could have an immediate impact of public health and the principle of informed consent,” a press release from Johnson’s office said. “The text chain below is between Anthony Fauci, Rochelle Walensky, and Vivek Murthy dated from January 25-26, 2021; in the chain they discuss pregnant women and the COVID-19 injection.”FAUCI AND THE ART OF TURNING ACCOUNTABILITY INTO THE VILLAINCritics viewed the comments as contradicting public health officials’ comments at the time. Just a week after the text thread, Fauci said the Food and Drug Administration “have found thus far and we have to be careful but thus far no red flags about that, about pregnant women.”In August of that year, Fauci said, “There’s no indication whatsoever that there’s any increase of any adverse issues in a pregnant woman who was vaccinated compared to a pregnant woman who wasn’t vaccinated.”