Covid Vaccine Not Linked to Reduced Fertility, Study Finds

New Delhi: Addressing widespread concerns about Covid-19 vaccination and fertility, a study involving nearly 60,000 women has found that Covid vaccines do not reduce childbirth rates or increase miscarriage risks.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, misinformation — particularly on social media — has suggested that vaccination could affect a woman’s ability to conceive. During the later stages of the pandemic, several countries, including Sweden, recorded a decline in birth rates, prompting questions about a possible connection with Covid vaccination.

However, researchers have dismissed this concern. “Our conclusion is that it is highly unlikely that the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine caused the decline in childbirth during the pandemic,” said Toomas Timpka, Professor of Social Medicine at Linköping University in Sweden.

The findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, revealed no statistically significant differences in childbirth or miscarriage rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated women.

“We observed no variation in childbirth rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. We also examined registered miscarriages among pregnant women and found no differences between the two groups,” Timpka stated.

The research analysed data from nearly 60,000 women aged between 18 and 45 years in Sweden. Among them, 75 per cent received at least one Covid vaccine dose between 2021 and 2024. The study relied on healthcare records covering childbirths, vaccination history, miscarriages, and mortality data.

The results support earlier research that also found no link between Covid vaccination and fertility issues. Unlike many previous studies that focused mainly on couples undergoing fertility treatment, this research evaluated pregnancy and conception patterns across the general population.

Additionally, researchers accounted for other factors that might influence fertility rates, such as age and pre-existing health conditions.

Previous studies have also indicated that Covid infection can pose serious health risks for pregnant women, while vaccination significantly lowers the chances of severe illness.

“Current scientific evidence clearly shows that the protection offered by Covid-19 vaccines against severe disease far outweighs any potential risks,” Timpka said. He also encouraged women planning to start families not to delay vaccination, stating that they should feel confident about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

With inputs from IANS