Should women who are considering IVF undergo COVID-19 vaccination?
What we know years later
By Dr. Bill Meyer
Read our practice’s latest COVID-19 policies
As of the beginning of this year, only about 4 in 10 pregnant individuals had received at least one dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine (COVID-19), a percentage that lags that of the general population. This is most likely due to concerns about the safety of the vaccine in pregnancy along with potential risks to the fetus.
It is a given that most patients would like to minimize risk and maximize benefit to them and their fetus when it comes to health choices, especially those who have experienced infertility for many years.
A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology by Aharon examined in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle characteristics and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. They looked at those patients undergoing fresh and frozen IVF cycles. The detailed analysis confirmed prior studies that showed that the vaccination does not impair embryo implantation or cause sterility.
There is now an abundance of information supporting COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness. This is very important because severe and sudden respiratory compromise from COVID-19 infection in pregnancy substantially increases the risk of maternal morbidity and death.
The clinical staff at Carolina Conceptions strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all women trying to conceive and for those who are already pregnant or lactating.
The physicians at Carolina Conceptions have been monitoring COVID-19 vaccination recommendations closely.
Based on emerging safety data and increasing infection rates, the physicians at Carolina Conceptions now RECOMMEND vaccination for COVID-19 for all patients, including patients who are currently pregnant and those who are trying to conceive. We believe that COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to protect you and your baby from COVID-19.
COVID-19 and pregnancy
On August 11, 2021, the CDC released new data from 2,500 patients who were vaccinated for COVID-19 during early pregnancy. There was no increase in miscarriage in women who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Additionally, a large study of 35,000 women who received an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy showed no safety concerns. Women who contract COVID-19 during pregnancy are at higher risk of pregnancy complications, including need for hospitalization, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and preterm delivery.
Infection rates in pregnant women are rising due to the Delta variant, and that trend is expected to continue.
Furthermore, multiples scientific studies have evaluated the impact of the vaccine on fertility, and the COVID-19 vaccine does NOT impact fertility in any way.
CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine
Based on this new data, the CDC now RECOMMENDS COVID-19 vaccination in women who are pregnant, women who are planning to be pregnant, and women who are breastfeeding.
COVID-19 vaccination is also now RECOMMENDED by multiple professional organizations, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and Society for Male Reproduction and Urology.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0811-vaccine-safe-pregnant.html