Mythbuster clarifies social media claim that COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility

In a statement released today the DoH say that there are ‘unfortunately some bogus claims about vaccines circulating on social media’.

‘This has been the case for many years, with “anti vaxxers” spreading misinformation.

‘The truth is that vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world and are an essential weapon against disease.’

It adds that ‘the COVID-19 vaccines have been approved as safe and effective by independent experts’.

‘One of the unsubstantiated claims doing the rounds concerns COVID-19 vaccines and fertility’, adds the statement.

‘There is no evidence to support any concerns about fertility.

‘This is not just the view of Governments and regulatory and expert advisory bodies.’

The statement adds that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives recently issued statements relating to “misinformation circulating about the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility”.

Dr Edward Morris, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We want to reassure women that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility. Claims of any effect of COVID-19 vaccination on fertility are speculative and not supported by any data.

“There is​ ​no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women’s fertility.”

Similarly, Professor Lucy Chappell, a consultant obstetrician specialising in women with medical problems in pregnancy, has stated:

“I can see absolutely no basis for concerns about any of the COVID-19 vaccines that are licensed in the UK and fertility.”

This issue has also been examined in detail by the BBC Reality Check team.

The public health advice is very clear – get vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect yourself, protect your health service and help us all get to a better place.

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