Infertility & COVID
Okay, trying to get pregnant or being pregnant can be stressful enough during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, there’s been a couple of stories across social media that are trying to connect the new Pfizer vaccine with an increased risk of infertility.
The main claim made was that Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, which received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization this past week, could trigger the immune system to attack a protein needed for placenta development during pregnancy. This claim should be dismissed based on the available data.
Last week the New York Times ran a well-written piece about these rumors highlighting among other things, that the Pfizer vaccine does not contain placental proteins or genetic material that impacts placental proteins – the core of the infertility connection story. While the FDA has granted emergency authorization for use, it didn’t rule out use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Doctor Google provides a lot of content but not a lot of context, so be careful. Let Dr. Zapantis and the experts at NYRW help you navigate fertility care on Long Island.
In the meantime, keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, and socially distance (especially from internet rumors). Have more questions? Contact your NYRW provider today.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/10/technology/pfizer-vaccine-infertility-disinformation.html
