Vaccination information for fertility patients

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At TFP, we know that the advice from the Fertility Societies (ESHRE, ASRM and National etc) has been conflicting and sometimes not clear. Therefore we have summarised what you need to know as of 9th April 2021 if you live in the UK.  If your National regulations are different then please do follow your National rules.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 9TH APRIL 2021:

1. Men and Women do not need to wait to conceive after having the Covid-19 vaccine.

2. Pregnant women with Covid-19 are at greater risk of severe illness compared to non-pregnant women. Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy is not routinely recommended. Vaccination during pregnancy may be considered in women at high risk of catching Covid-19 or at high risk of severe complications from Covid-19 due to underlying health conditions.

3. Patients may therefore choose to complete vaccination (have both injections) before trying to conceive or starting fertility treatment. This is a personal choice. If a woman conceives after the first vaccine injection the second one may need to be delayed until after pregnancy. A single vaccine injection does offer a level of protection so is safer than no vaccine.

4. It is preferable to have the vaccine injection at least three days before starting fertility drugs, producing a sperm sample for insemination, or having an embryo transfer. This is because some people feel unwell after injection due to the immune response. However, the vaccine can be given at any time during fertility treatment if the benefits of vaccination outweigh any unknown risks.

5. The vaccine may be considered when breastfeeding.

6. There are no differences in efficacy and safety between the Covid-19 vaccines in Europe.

7. Please continue to minimise infection risks in the clinic through hygiene, social distancing, and PPE use as per TFP Guidelines.

8. Patients should wait 28 days after recovery from Covid-19 infection before starting fertility treatment.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AND FERTILITY TREATMENT?

ESHRE – https://www.eshre.eu/covid19

ASRM – https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/covid-19/