Effects and safety of COVID-19 vaccination on assisted reproductive technology and pregnancy: A comprehensive review and joint statements of the KSRM, the KSRI, and the KOSAR

Abstract

Humanity is in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and vaccines—including mRNA vaccines—have been developed at an unprecedented speed. It is necessary to develop guidelines for vaccination for people undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) and for pregnancy-related situations based on the extant laboratory and clinical data. COVID-19 vaccines do not appear to adversely affect gametes, embryos, or implantation; therefore, active vaccination is recommended for women or men who are preparing for ART. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) for the treatment of immune-related infertility is unlikely to impact the effectiveness of the vaccines, so COVID-19 vaccines can be administered around ART cycles in which IVIG is scheduled. Pregnant women have been proven to be at risk of severe maternal and neonatal complications from COVID-19. It does not appear that COVID-19 vaccines harm pregnant women or fetuses; instead, they have been observed to deliver antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to the fetus. Accordingly, it is recommended that pregnant women receive COVID-19 vaccination. There is no rationale for adverse effects, or clinical cases of adverse reactions, in mothers or neonates after COVID-19 vaccination in lactating women. Instead, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be delivered through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should consider vaccination. In summary, active administration of COVID-19 vaccines will help ensure the safe implementation of ART, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

The risk of miscarriage following COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As the rate of re-infection with new mutations of the COVID-19 virus is increasing progressively ( Jain et al , 2021 ), there is a need to evaluate the optimal timing to provide COVID-19 vaccines for both de novo and booster immunity. This is particularly relevant to high-risk women planning a pregnancy such as those with chronic disease or those undergoing assisted conception ( Han et al , 2022 ).…”

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and male fertility: Something we should be worried about?

“…Since mRNA vaccines do not contain live viruses, one could argue that there is no specific risk for infertility, first or second-trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies. 52,70,76 Many reports have investigated the effect of the vaccine on female fertility. However, no effect was documented on the conception rate, alterations to the placenta, or miscarriage rate, indicating no reason for concern.…”

Corona: Impfung und Schwangerschaftsverlauf

“…Daher ist die engmaschige Überwachung im Rahmen der Schwangerschaftsvorsorge nach Beendigung der stationären Behandlung sehr wichtig. Für asymptomatisch oder nur leicht symptomatisch infizierte Schwangere im ambulanten Setting wird dagegen keine intensivierte Schwangerschaftsvorsorge empfohlen [ 3 , 11 ].…”