Six experts weigh in on the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility

As we make our way through the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that some people still have questions about the vaccine and fertility.

We spoke to six experts to hear their professional opinions and research on why the vaccine is safe. Here is what they had to say:

Dr. Anjali Aggarlwal, obstetrician: 

"Many of my patients are hoping to get pregnant or are already pregnant and I understand feeling worried about getting vaccinated. It's important to know that there is no evidence that the vaccine will have a negative impact on fertility and that the vaccine is safe in pregnancy."

Dr. Jelena Popovic, neonatologist:

"I wholeheartedly encourage all those we are pregnant or breastfeeding to get immunized. Physiologic changes make pregnant people more fragile and susceptible to severe infection, pregnancy loss or preterm delivery. Unfortunately we have witnessed tragic stories of previously healthy women contracting COVID-19 in pregnancy and getting extremely sick, needing to deliver prematurely to save their lives."

Melissa Chan, registered midwife

"I understand the concerns of getting the vaccine; it’s normal to ask questions and want to know more about something new. Talk openly to your healthcare provider and the leaders in your community who you trust and read literature from reputable sources only. Getting the vaccine at any point in pregnancy can prevent severe illness for a pregnant person."

Dr. Janine McCready, infectious disease physician

"Unfortunately we have seen more severe illness in unvaccinated pregnant people when they contract COVID-19, often compromising the health of mom and baby. What should have been the happiest time in some families' lives turned into very scary weeks in intensive care and are some of the most challenging cases I’ve been involved in."

Dr. Kim Kitto, family doctor

As we face the Delta variant of COVID-19, I want to underscore that the vaccines available to us are very safe and are especially recommended for those who are pregnant. For those concerned about their fertility long-term, chances of conceiving soon, or having a miscarriage if recently pregnant, there is NO plausible theoretical or real world data that has shown the vaccine can alter one’s fertility or increase your chance of miscarriage."

Dr. Rajiv Singal, urologist

"For younger men who are still contemplating getting vaccinated there is no evidence that it has a negative effect on fertility. There is a wide consensus among experts to support this notion. If you have a concerns, I urge you to chat with a healthcare provider you trust."

Are you ready to get your vaccine? You can:

• book an appointment
• walk in to any vaccine clinic in East Toronto
• talk to your primary healthcare provider for more information 

Want to learn more? Read the research:

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
SOGC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy (May 25, 2021)
https://sogc.org/en/content/featured-news/SOGC_Statement_on_COVID-19_Va…;

Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
Information to support Pregnant and Breastfeeding people in their decision on whether or not to get the COVID-19 vaccine
http://www.pcmch.on.ca/COVID-19Vaccine/ 

New England Journal of Medicine
Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons (June 17, 2021)
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2104983 

Centre for Disease Control (USA)
COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby (August 11, 2021)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/planning-for-pregnan…;

Science Briefs of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table
The Incidence, Severity, and Management of COVID-19 in Critically Ill Pregnant Individuals (September 13, 2021)
https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/the-incidence-severity-and…;

Nature Medicine
Dagan, N., Barda, N., Biron-Shental, T. et al. Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. Nat Med (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01490-8 

JAMA
Sperm Parameters Before and After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination (June 17, 2021)
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781360