# US health agency COVID-19 vaccine research scrutiny > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-health-agency-covid-19-vaccine-research-scrutiny > Updated: 2026-08-15T19:06:54.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Released internal correspondence has highlighted internal debates within U.S. health agencies regarding the investigation of COVID-19 vaccine side effects. Emails from April 2021 show that NIH leadership, including Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci, discussed halting a study led by Dr. Avindra Nath concerning peripheral nerve disorders and spinal cord issues. Dr. Collins described the collection of such anecdotal data as “very troubling,” expressing concern that it might increase vaccine hesitancy. In May 2021, former FDA head Janet Woodcock urged Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins to fund research into adverse events that were difficult to evaluate with standard testing, warning that ignoring these issues could “come back to bite you later.” Subsequent reports indicate that after leaving his role at the NIAID, Dr. Fauci took an advisory position at the Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena in Italy. Following this appointment, the NIH awarded more than $44 million to a pandemic-vaccine research program co-led by the scientific director of that same institute. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Anthony Fauci and FDA vaccine side effect study requests Emails show former FDA head Janet Woodcock urged NIH leaders to study COVID-19 vaccine side effects in 2021. Meanwhile, Anthony Fauci joined an Italian vaccine institute that later received NIH funding. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anthony-fauci-and-fda-vaccine-side-effect-study-requests ### 2026-07-25: NIH officials tried to halt research into post‑COVID vaccine neurological injuries NIH leaders discussed stopping a study on post‑COVID neurological injuries, deeming the anecdotal approach troubling and potentially fueling vaccine hesitancy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nih-officials-tried-to-halt-research-into-postcovid-vaccine-neurological-injuries --- Cite as: US health agency COVID-19 vaccine research scrutiny. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-health-agency-covid-19-vaccine-research-scrutiny