The Notion That COVID Vaccines Lead to Infertility is a Conspiracy Theory

From the onset of the pandemic, accurate scientific information about COVID-19 has faced stiff competition from a slew of troubling myths and conspiracy theories. Regrettably, in certain corners of the Internet, misinformation is prevailing, allowing new myths to thrive.

One of the latest falsehoods circulating involves COVID vaccines. Specifically, the claim is that these vaccines may lead to infertility in women. (If this sounds somewhat familiar, we may have shared a viewing of the same series on a streaming platform during lockdown.)

To clarify, COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility. This assertion is entirely unfounded.

Leading medical bodies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), have issued a clear statement reinforcing this point. They stated, “We also assure patients that there is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. 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.”

To dive deeper into the relationship between vaccines and fertility, we consulted Dr. Sam Hartman, a neonatologist from Bright Future Neonatology.

Origins of the Myth

Tracing the source of a myth can often be challenging; however, in this case, there is a general agreement that it originated from a letter sent to the European Medicines Agency by two individuals known for their anti-vaccine stance. They raised baseless concerns that the vaccine contains a specific protein, Syncytin-1, which is essential for human placental development. In reality, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain this protein. The spike protein of the virus shares a minimal stretch of genetic code with Syncytin-1, but this similarity is inconsequential. To illustrate, think of a phone number where only one digit matches. Although one number aligns, the other digits are critical for reaching the correct person. Similarly, despite a tiny genetic overlap, it does not equate to identical code.

Alongside the claim that the vaccine contains the placental protein is the erroneous belief that the vaccines cause the body to produce antibodies that would attack this protein, leading to infertility. This is overwhelmingly false. The authors of the letter themselves concede that there is no evidence the vaccine prompts antibodies that would reject the placental protein. They noted, “there is no indication whether antibodies against spike proteins of SARS viruses would also act like anti-Syncytin-1 antibodies.”

Real-World Evidence Disproves the Myth

The Pfizer trial included over 37,000 participants, during which 23 individuals became pregnant—12 from the vaccine group and 11 from the placebo group. In essence, the number of vaccinated individuals who became pregnant was comparable to that of unvaccinated individuals. Clearly, the vaccine had no effect on fertility.

Vaccines Are Safe for Pregnant Individuals

Dr. Hartman emphasizes, “The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) currently states that the COVID-19 vaccine should not be withheld from pregnant patients.” He also reassures that those trying to conceive should not hesitate to get vaccinated. The only exceptions are individuals contraindicated from receiving the vaccine, such as those who have experienced an adverse reaction to the vaccine or any of its components. He recommends waiting out the typical symptom period of 1-2 days post-vaccination before trying to conceive.

Pregnant Individuals Face High Risks from COVID

The real danger lies in the myth itself. While vaccines do not cause infertility, pregnancy significantly increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications. Research has shown that pregnant individuals with COVID-19 face heightened risks for complications. Therefore, instead of avoiding the vaccine, those planning to conceive should get vaccinated as soon as possible. The known dangers of COVID-19 during pregnancy far exceed the fictitious risks propagated by this myth.

Immunity Can Be Passed to Your Baby

In addition to being safe, vaccination also provides the added benefit of potential immunity transfer to the baby. Dr. Hartman confirmed evidence that immunity can be passed to the infant when the pregnant individual receives the vaccine during pregnancy or after vaccination. “There has been evidence of both scenarios resulting in antibodies being passed down to the baby.”

In summary, the main takeaways are twofold: First, vaccines are safe and do not cause infertility. Second, it’s crucial to be discerning about the information you consume online. Misinformation spreads quickly. When it comes to vaccines, pregnancy, and fertility, always consult your healthcare provider and rely on reputable sources. For more insights on home insemination, you can check out this blog post or visit Make a Mom for authoritative information. Additionally, Womens Health offers excellent resources on pregnancy and infertility.

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