Does COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Infertility? Health Experts Finally Answer

Ashley Beveridge had doubts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine as she was worried that it might cause infertility. After doing a lot of research, however, she decided to get vaccinated.

Beveridge, like many other women who are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, has expressed her qualms about the COVID-19 vaccine out of fear that it might lessen her chances of conceiving a baby or lead to birth defects.

“Could this affect fertility or, you know, if not fertility then just maybe any birth defects in my future children?” Beveridge was quoted as asking by KXAN.

A joint statement released in February by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) reassured women that the COVID-19 vaccine did not show signs of causing infertility.

“As experts in reproductive health, we continue to recommend that the vaccine be available to pregnant individuals. We also assure patients that there is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility," their statement read.

"While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Loss of fertility is scientifically unlikely.”

Several other sources have also confirmed the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. According to UChicago Medicine, there is currently no evidence that the vaccine reduces one's natural fertility or harms the placenta or the fetus.

Moreover, studies have suggested that COVID-19 antibodies could even be transferred to babies who are still in the womb. The longer gap between vaccination and delivery has been associated with a greater transfer of antibodies to unborn babies, researchers found.

Getting vaccinated was indeed the right choice, Beveridge said. Five days after getting her shot, she reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, but she showed only mild symptoms.

“I think I feel safer now, knowing what I know from my doctors, and knowing that it was probably just the best choice based on the information that we have right now,” Beveridge stated.