Frequently asked questions on COVID-19 vaccination and menstruation

Prof A Santa Singh *

COVID-19 Vaccination at Primary Health Centre, Bashikhong on 3rd May 2021 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Director of RIMS, Prof A Santa Singh stresses that women can take COVID-19 vaccine irrespective of their period dates. These questions were prepared by experts including doctors approved by the MoHFW

Q-1 : There are messages floating on social media that women should not get COVID-19 vaccine within five days of their periods. Does vaccination have any impact on periods?
A : Nothing like that. There is no connection between periods and COVID-19 vaccination. Women can take vaccine whenever they want irrespective of their period dates.

Q-2 : There are also rumours in some sections that COVID-19 vaccine can affect child bearing capacity of women. Is it true?
A: It is completely false that COVID-19 vaccine has any impact on the child bearing capacity of women. It is a misconception and people should not be worried about it.

Q-3 : Will COVID-19 affect the foetus of pregnant women? How safe is it for pregnant women to get the vaccine? Are there any extra precautions that should be taken during pregnancy?
A : There is no vaccine for pregnant women as yet. It is not the case that COVID-19 vaccines will harm pregnant women, but these vaccines have not been tested on pregnant women so far. Hence, we can’t say for certain that COVID-19 vaccine can have any negative impact on pregnancy or the foetus of a pregnant woman. That is why the present guidelines do not prescribe COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women.

While no scientific research so far shows any adverse impact of the vaccine on the foetus, the guidelines as yet don’t prescribe the shots for pregnant women. With regard to the possibility of infection spreading from a COVID-19 positive woman to her child, there have been one or two such cases that have come to light. But there is no ample research to conclusively suggest such a possibility.

Q-4 : Can women donate blood right after getting the vaccine ? How long should one wait to donate blood post vaccination ?
A : Generally speaking, there is no correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and blood donation and a person can donate blood whenever he or she wants after getting these vaccines.

Q-5 : Should women avoid workouts, exercises, yoga etc. post vaccination ?
A : There are no restrictions on workouts, exercises, yoga etc. after getting vaccinated. However, one should keep in mind that there may be some pain and swelling at the site of vaccination and that pain may exacerbate with exercise. Any exercise with that arm may be avoided till any time the pain or swelling has subsided.

Q-6 : Will Covid vaccine adversely affect women suffering from PCOS ?
A : Poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a special kind of condition involving a disease in the ovaries. I am not aware of any scientific research that suggests women suffering from this condition should not take this COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you are concerned about it, you can always talk to your gynaecologist before taking the shots.


The answers here were provided by Dr A Santa Singh, who is the Director of RIMS Imphal.