SHOULD I GET THE COVID VACCINE?
Yes! The COVID vaccines are safe and reduce your risk of serious complications from a COVID Infection. Pregnant women are at a higher risk for complications from COVID, so it is important to protect yourself.
IS THE COVID VACCINE SAFE?
Yes! Most patients have few side effects, but some experience muscle aches, fatigue, and low-grade fevers. You cannot get COVID from the vaccines because they do not contain the virus itself.
DO COVID VACCINES CAUSE INFERTILITY?
No! COVID vaccines do not cause infertility. There is nothing about the vaccine which will affect sperm or egg quality. There is no reason to suspect that it increases the chances of miscarriage either.
IS IT OK TO GET THE COVID VACCINE WHILE IN TREATMENT?
Yes! If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you may get the vaccine. However, we recommend avoiding the vaccine in the three days before and after any procedure such as surgery, saline sonogram, HSG, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, or IUI. This is to avoid mistaking side effects from the vaccine with complications from a procedure. Additionally, procedures may be canceled if low-grade fever occurs post-vaccination.
IS IT OK TO GET THE COVID VACCINE IF I AM PREGNANT?
Yes! While there is limited data regarding outcomes in pregnancy most medical organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the World Health Organization (WHO), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) all support vaccination. The risk of complications from COVID in a pregnant woman is clearly higher than the risk of complications from the vaccine.
DOES THE TYPE OF VACCINE MATTER?
No! The three vaccines granted FDA emergency use approval do not contain live virus and are all very effective at preventing or reducing the severity of COVID infections.
WHAT IF I GET A FEVER AFTER THE COVID VACCINE?
Fever is a known side effect of the vaccine and can be treated with Tylenol (acetaminophen). For pregnant women taking prenatal vitamins, a low-grade fever should not increase the risk of complications.
SHOULD MEN RECEIVE THE VACCINE?
Yes! The Male Reproduction and Urology (SMRU) and the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction (SSMR) recommend that the COVID vaccine should be offered to men desiring fertility when they meet the criteria for vaccination. While post-vaccination fever may cause a temporary decline in sperm count, this will not likely impact the overall chance of conception.
At Reproductive Medicine Associates, we believe in harnessing the power of science to build healthy families. We strongly recommend that patients seeking infertility treatment receive the COVID-19 vaccine when available.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and infertility, you can read Dr. Jason Franasiak‘s latest blog post Claim that COVID-19 Vaccine Causes Infertility is Unfounded.
