The claim circulating online states that Anthony Fauci, a former chief medical adviser to U.S. presidents, experienced a pulmonary infarct as a result of a COVID-19 vaccine administered months prior.
A pulmonary infarct, also known as lung infarction, occurs when lung tissue dies due to a blockage in blood flow. This can be caused by blood clots or air bubbles in the vessels supplying the lungs.
This claim appears to stem from statements made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a July 2026 interview. He asserted that Fauci received a COVID-19 vaccine in January 2020 and subsequently suffered a pulmonary infarction five months later, which he allegedly concealed. Kennedy further suggested that pulmonary infarction is a known adverse event associated with the vaccine, citing the NIH, CDC, and FDA.
An examination of the available information reveals a mixed assessment of the claim:
What is true:
Fauci documented in a diary entry dated June 19, 2021, that doctors identified a “pulmonary infarct” on CT scans. This discovery occurred nearly six months after he received his first COVID-19 vaccine on December 22, 2020. The diary entry was released by Senator Rand Paul’s office in July 2026. While other potential issues were noted on the CT scan, the pulmonary infarct was the only diagnosis described as “definite.”
What is not true:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not list pulmonary infarction as a common side effect of any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in the U.S. Despite claims suggesting a link between Fauci’s condition and his vaccination, this specific outcome is not recognized as a typical adverse event by health authorities. Additionally, the timeframe mentioned by Kennedy appears to be slightly off, with the discovery of the infarct occurring approximately six months after Fauci’s vaccination, rather than the five months he stated.
Fauci’s diary entries from June 2021 mention that doctors observed various lesions in his right lower lobe. While one radiologist initially suspected cancer, other medical professionals suggested it was more likely an inflammatory lesion. The diary entries for September 2021, which would have been three months later, did not indicate a follow-up scan or mention the resolution of these concerns.
While some, including Kennedy and cardiologist Peter McCullough, have asserted that pulmonary infarcts and embolisms are vaccine side effects, the CDC’s official guidance and the prescribing information for U.S.-approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not list these conditions as known or common side effects. The rare side effect of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which involves blood clots and low platelets, was linked to the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, which is no longer used in the U.S. Fauci reportedly received a Moderna mRNA vaccine.
At the time of reporting, the specific portion of Fauci’s June 19, 2021, diary entry detailing his pulmonary infarct had been redacted by Senator Paul’s office, and the reason for this redaction was unclear. Reputable media outlets have not cast doubt on the authenticity of the released diary excerpts, and there has been no public denial from Fauci regarding their contents. Inquiries were made to Fauci and Senator Paul’s office for further clarification.