6 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : A new large-scale scientific study has conclusively found that Covid-19 vaccines are not linked to reduced fertility, miscarriages, or declining childbirth rates, effectively debunking persistent myths that emerged during the pandemic. Researchers say the findings provide strong reassurance to millions of people worldwide who were concerned about the long-term reproductive effects of vaccination.
Since the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines, misinformation has circulated widely on social media, claiming that vaccines could harm fertility in women and men, increase miscarriage risk, or negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. Health experts have repeatedly dismissed these claims, but vaccine hesitancy driven by such fears has continued in some communities. The latest study adds robust scientific evidence to counter these narratives.
The research analysed health and population data from hundreds of thousands of individuals across different age groups and reproductive stages. Scientists compared fertility rates, miscarriage rates, and childbirth outcomes among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals over an extended period. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups.
According to the study, women who received Covid-19 vaccines conceived at similar rates as unvaccinated women. There was also no increase in early pregnancy loss, stillbirths, or complications during childbirth among vaccinated individuals. Researchers noted that pregnancy outcomes remained consistent regardless of the vaccine type or the timing of vaccination.
For men, the findings were equally reassuring. The study found no evidence that Covid-19 vaccination affected sperm count, motility, or overall reproductive health. Temporary changes observed in some earlier, smaller studies were found to be short-lived and clinically insignificant, with no impact on long-term fertility.
Experts say the study’s strength lies in its scale and real-world data. Unlike early clinical trials, which had limited pregnancy-related data, this research used population-level records and long-term follow-up, offering a clearer picture of vaccine safety in reproductive health.
Medical researchers also emphasised that Covid-19 infection itself poses greater risks to pregnancy than vaccination. Previous studies have shown that pregnant women infected with the virus face a higher risk of severe illness, preterm birth, and other complications. Vaccination, by contrast, significantly reduces the risk of severe Covid-19 and related pregnancy complications.
The study further examined national birth rates to assess whether mass vaccination campaigns coincided with declines in childbirth. Researchers found no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines caused drops in birth rates. Any temporary declines observed during the pandemic were attributed to social and economic uncertainty, delayed family planning, and disruptions to healthcare services rather than vaccination.
Public health experts welcomed the findings, calling them a crucial step in combating vaccine misinformation. They stressed that fears around fertility have been one of the most damaging myths surrounding Covid-19 vaccines, particularly affecting young adults and women of childbearing age.
Doctors say the biological basis of the fertility myth was flawed from the beginning. Covid-19 vaccines do not interact with reproductive organs or DNA, nor do they affect hormones involved in conception or pregnancy. The immune response triggered by vaccination is temporary and targeted, with no mechanism to cause long-term reproductive harm.
Health authorities reiterated that Covid-19 vaccines continue to be recommended for people planning to conceive, pregnant women, and those who are breastfeeding. Multiple international health bodies have consistently stated that vaccination is safe during pregnancy and can even provide protective antibodies to newborns.
The researchers behind the study urged governments and health organisations to use the findings to strengthen public communication efforts. Clear, evidence-based messaging, they said, is essential to rebuilding trust and encouraging informed decision-making.
While vaccine uptake has improved globally, experts warn that lingering misinformation can still undermine public health efforts, especially during future outbreaks. Studies like this, they argue, are vital in reinforcing confidence in vaccines and science more broadly.
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that Covid-19 vaccines do not negatively impact fertility, pregnancy, or childbirth outcomes. As the world continues to move beyond the pandemic, health experts hope these findings will help dispel fears and ensure that reproductive health decisions are guided by science rather than misinformation.
Summary
A new large-scale study confirms Covid-19 vaccines do not affect fertility, miscarriage rates, or childbirth outcomes, debunking myths and reinforcing vaccine safety for people planning pregnancy or already pregnant.