Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is raising new questions about former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci after claiming newly released pandemic-era records show Fauci experienced a serious medical condition months after publicly receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Kennedy made the allegation Monday during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” where he discussed diary entries released by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) related to Fauci’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kennedy claimed Fauci developed a pulmonary infarction after receiving the vaccine and argued the former health official did not disclose the incident while continuing to publicly discuss vaccine safety.
According to Kennedy, Fauci received the COVID-19 vaccine during a highly publicized event in early 2021.
Kennedy said that several months later, Fauci experienced a pulmonary infarction, a condition that occurs when blood flow to part of the lung is blocked, causing damage to lung tissue.
He alleged that Fauci’s pulmonary infarction was one of the adverse events monitored by federal health agencies and questioned why Fauci did not publicly disclose the condition while discussing COVID-19 vaccines with Americans.
Kennedy argued that Fauci’s position as a leading public health official made transparency especially important.
The allegation has drawn attention because Fauci was one of the most influential public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a central role in shaping government guidance and public messaging.
Critics argue that any serious medical event involving a figure who strongly promoted vaccine policies deserved transparency, particularly during a period when Americans were being urged to make decisions about vaccination.
Public health officials have responded that a medical event following vaccination does not automatically prove the vaccine caused it and that safety determinations require broader evidence.
Kennedy has argued that Fauci’s public statements created expectations of transparency from health officials and said the alleged lack of disclosure raised concerns about public trust.
Kennedy also pointed to diary entries released by Paul that he said showed Fauci’s awareness of his growing public profile during the pandemic.
One entry from March 2020 cited by The Gateway Pundit described Fauci becoming an “international celebrity” as he received attention from around the world.
Kennedy argued the writings reflected a focus on public recognition during a period of national crisis.
The HHS secretary has repeatedly criticized Fauci’s handling of the pandemic, including decisions involving masks, social distancing, vaccine messaging, and COVID-19 origins.
Kennedy said many Americans who questioned official pandemic guidance were dismissed or labeled as spreading misinformation, while some of those debates later continued among scientists and policymakers, according to Fox News.
Fauci has defended his actions during the pandemic and has rejected accusations that he intentionally misled the public.
Federal health agencies have continued to state that COVID-19 vaccines underwent safety monitoring and that serious adverse events were rare.
The allegations come as Fauci faces congressional scrutiny over his pandemic-era decisions and testimony.
Lawmakers are expected to examine his public statements, the government’s COVID-19 response, and the information contained in the newly released diary materials.
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