This article was first published January 12, 2021, and has been updated.

When the COVID-19 vaccine was introduced in late 2020, there was some concern about how it would affect pregnant people, people planning to get pregnant, and those who are breastfeeding.

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that all people ages 12 and older get the vaccine, including “people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.”

The CDC says that data about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine suggests the benefits of receiving the vaccine “outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.” And pregnant people are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared to those who aren’t pregnant — and at increased risk of delivering early if they contract COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccine’s effect on fertility

We sat down with Dr. Carolina Sueldo, a board-certified physician with the Women’s Specialty and Fertility Center, to discuss the available COVID-19 vaccines and how they affect fertility.
 
Dr. Sueldo answered a series of questions, including:

1. Can mRNA vaccines cause infertility?

2. Will vaccines affect the development of the placenta?

3. Is the vaccine safe for me if I’m pregnant?

4. How does COVID-19 affect fertility and pregnancy?

Can mRNA vaccines cause infertility?

Will vaccines affect the development of the placenta?

Is the vaccine safe for me if I’m pregnant?

How does COVID-19 affect fertility and pregnancy?