Plus, vaccine safety is closely monitored, and medical organizations continue to confirm that vaccines don’t affect fertility, says Arielle Bayer, MD, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at CCRM Fertility in New York City.
Let’s look at some of the vaccines that have raised the most questions about fertility.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Fertility
The COVID-19 vaccine has probably gotten more attention than any other vaccine when it comes to fertility concerns. So, what do we know so far?
Research has also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines don’t harm ovarian reserve (the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries) or impact sperm health. And major medical groups, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone trying to conceive or already pregnant, says Dr. Bayer. The reason: The benefits of preventing severe COVID-19 disease far outweigh any risks, she says.
MMR Vaccine and Fertility
In fact, if a man isn’t vaccinated and gets infected with mumps, testicular inflammation from the virus could lead to poor sperm development, Kotlyar says.
One important consideration with the MMR vaccine is timing. Because it’s a live, attenuated vaccine — meaning it contains a weakened form of the live virus — experts recommend waiting at least one month after receiving the vaccine before trying to conceive. Although it’s unlikely to happen, there’s a chance the weakened virus could cause disease. “By waiting one month, you allow the immune system to create antibodies (proteins that help your body fight infections) and eliminate all the weakened virus,” says Kotlyar.
HPV Vaccine and Fertility
There are a few reports of early loss of eggs in women after receiving the HPV vaccine, says Kotlyar. But large research studies of many thousands of women showed no increased risk of infertility or early loss of eggs in women after the HPV vaccine, he says. The more patients a study has, the more reliable its results tend to be.
Flu Vaccine and Fertility
“Overall, the flu vaccine has not been shown to have an association with fertility in men or women,” says Kotlyar. In one study of more than 8,000 women, researchers found no difference in how likely people were to get pregnant, whether they received the flu shot or not.
But if you’re pregnant, stick with the injectable flu shot rather than the nasal spray version. The nasal spray contains a live, weakened form of the virus, which isn’t recommended during pregnancy.
Chickenpox Vaccine and Fertility
If you didn’t receive the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine as a child, or you’re not sure if you’re still protected, your healthcare provider might recommend getting vaccinated before trying to conceive.
But because it contains a weakened virus, the varicella vaccine should not be given during pregnancy. If you’re planning to conceive, you should check your immunity and receive the vaccine ahead of time if needed, waiting at least one month before attempting pregnancy, says Bayer.
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