No COVID-19 Vaccine Affects Fertility, Clarifies Health Ministry

New Delhi: The Union Health ministry stated on Wednesday that none of the available COVID-19 vaccines affects the fertility of men and women.

“None of the available vaccines affects the fertility of either men or women, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later on humans to assess if they have any such side effects. Vaccines are authorized for use only after their safety and efficacy are assured,” the Health ministry said in a statement.

The clarification comes in the wake of reports in certain sections of the media which expressed concerns regarding infertility due to COVID vaccination among people in the reproductive age group and also its safety vis-a-vis lactating women.

The ministry said several myths about vaccination have been floated, which the government has fact-checked and busted.

Dr NK Arora, chairperson of COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) pointed out such misinformation had been spread when Polio vaccine was being administered in India and abroad, and it was being claimed that children who get the vaccine may face infertility when they grow up.

He assured that all vaccines go through intense scientific research and none of those shows this kind of side-effect.

National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has already recommended vaccination for all lactating women as it’s safe and there’s no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the shot.