Nicole Shanahan describes alleged COVID-19 vaccine injury and ongoing health regimen

Nicole Shanahan, 39, the former wife of Google co‑founder Sergey Brin, says she is living with a long‑standing injury she attributes to her COVID‑19 vaccination and has been managing its symptoms for what she described as nearly five years. In a recent podcast with Annelise Barron, an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University, Shanahan said she is in "constant management of vaccine injury symptoms" and outlined a demanding daily routine aimed at keeping her condition in check.

Shanahan described a regimen that she said helps her navigate flare‑ups, including sauna and cold exposure, red‑light therapy, direct sunlight when possible, vascular movement, and specialized lymphatic drainage. She said she uses magnesium baths as part of her routine and follows a detox protocol she described as a spike‑level program. She cited The Wellness Company’s detox as a core component and said she also relies on natural remedies such as elderberry syrup and calamansi, a citrus fruit she grows, to boost her immune system. "I do sauna, cold, red light, morning sunlight, direct sunlight as much as possible, some vascular movement, lymphatic drainage in sunlight," she said, adding that she takes calamansi with raw honey to increase vitamin C intake.

Shanahan said her spike protein level is ''in the thousands'' and that the protein is "hugely inflammatory," requiring ongoing management and adjustment of her activities. She described days when she feels exceptionally well—"glowing" with health, able to surf for three to four hours—followed by persistent flare‑ups that she must monitor closely. The remarks underscore her view that vaccine risks were not fully explained to her prior to vaccination and that careful self‑management is necessary to maintain daily functioning.

In discussing the wider context of her health journey, Shanahan said she was disappointed she was not fully informed about the potential risks of the jab. She told Barron that the ongoing regimen is essential for her quality of life and that she remains vigilant about symptoms and fluctuations in her condition.

The disclosures come amid Shanahan’s public profile as a former Silicon Valley attorney and as the ex‑wife of Sergey Brin, who is worth an estimated $145 billion. Brin and Shanahan divorced in January 2022, after reports, later denied by both sides, that cited a brief affair with Elon Musk as a factor in the split, according to The Wall Street Journal. Musk and Shanahan denied the affair allegations.

Shanahan has also been active in political fundraising related to RFK Jr.’s campaign. She supported his presidential bid and campaign messaging, including a notable Super Bowl ad donation of about $4 million to a pro‑RFK Jr. super PAC in 2024, followed by another $10 million in subsequent years, The New York Times reported.

The couple’s personal history includes the birth of a daughter in 2018, who was diagnosed with autism in 2020. Shanahan has cited the diagnosis as part of what shaped her views on vaccines and public health messaging. While her account provides a detailed personal health narrative, medical professionals emphasize that self‑reported vaccine injuries are an area of ongoing study and controversy, and routine medical guidance continues to emphasize evidence‑based vaccine safety and monitoring. Officials and researchers caution that individual experiences vary and that extreme detox regimens should be discussed with healthcare providers.

The account presented here reflects Shanahan’s statements as described in the podcast interview and corroborating reporting. It does not establish clinical causation between the vaccine and her symptoms, and it should be read in the context of ongoing scientific inquiry into post‑vaccination health effects and the broader public health record on vaccine safety and effectiveness.