Dr. Anthony Fauci communicated 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 discussions with Dr. Rochelle Walensky, then-CDC Director, 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 linked to miscarriage in the first trimester. Murthy inquired about the timing of vaccination during pregnancy and any evidence of adverse outcomes among vaccinated pregnant women.
Fauci stated there was no data suggesting that vaccination should be preferred earlier in pregnancy over later. He also clarified that concerns about mRNA vaccines altering genes were misconceptions. However, he acknowledged issues related to the second dose for pregnant women.
Walensky agreed with Fauci's concerns regarding the second dose, and Murthy expressed worries about mRNA vaccines causing mutations in developing fetuses. The next day, after Murthy referenced 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 the risks posed by COVID-19.
He mentioned that over 10,000 pregnant women had been vaccinated without reported issues and that guidance from the FDA, ACIP, and ACOG allowed for vaccination choice among pregnant women. Murthy expressed concern that a strong recommendation against vaccination based on insufficient data could harm public confidence among pregnant women, a sentiment Walensky supported, indicating she would raise the issue at an upcoming ACIP meeting.