Medical experts and scientists agree that it is not possible for the vaccines to affect fertility.

The vaccines protect people from becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. it is very important that you get protected and have your vaccine both first and second doses.

There have been a lot of rumours that the vaccines could affect fertility but these are not true.

Here’s why:

  • There is no scientific process by which the vaccines could affect women’s fertility.
  • Like all vaccines, the covid-19 vaccines teach your body to fight the disease and to develop antibodies to do this. They do not have any ingredients that would affect fertility and the components leave the body within a few days.
  • There is no evidence to support the theory that immunity to the spike protein could lead to fertility problems. Most people who contract COVID-19 will develop antibodies to the spike and there has not been any evidence of fertility problems in people who have had COVID-19.
  • It is standard practice for new medicines not to be recommended for pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy when they are first issued. Now that more data is available, the independent body responsible for assessing the safety of vaccines (the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations), has updated its advice and says there is no need for women to delay pregnancy after having either vaccine.

What the experts say

The British Fertility Society and Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists:

“There is absolutely no evidence, and no theoretical reason, that any of the vaccines can affect the fertility of women or men.”

Dr Edward Morris, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

“We want to reassure women that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility. There is no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women’s fertility. Evidence has not been presented that women who have been vaccinated go on to have fertility problems.”

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant, Public Health England, National Immunisation Team:

“Studies have shown that, like other vaccines, once you are vaccinated the components of this vaccine travel to your lymph glands and within a matter of days there are removed as waste products from your body. And so there is no mechanism by which this vaccine could affect your current or future fertility.”

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England:

“There is no evidence of any of the vaccines having any impact on fertility, and it would be surprising if any of them did do. This is not an area where people should be concerned.”

Further information

Video of Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam explaining why the vaccines do not affect fertility