A resident walks past a wall mural depicting a health worker wearing a facemask while holding a vaccine and a shield to spread awareness about the Covid-19 coronavirus, in Mumbai on June 30, 2021.
(Photo by AFP)

There is no scientific evidence found regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination amongst population of reproductive age, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said.

The Ministry has clarified that none of the available vaccines affects fertility of either men or women, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later in humans to assess if they have any such side effects. Vaccines are authorized for use only after their safety and efficacy is assured, the Ministry added.

In a recent interview, Dr. NK Arora, Chairperson of COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has countered these fears and allegations. He said that misinformation was also created during the administering of Polio vaccine in India and abroad that children who are getting the vaccine may face infertility in the future. He assured that all vaccines go through intense scientific researches and none of the vaccines have this sort of side-effect.

Meanwhile, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has also recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the vaccination.