Skip to main content
Department of Health Department of Health An Roinn Sláinte Männystrie O Pouste

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Mythbuster: COVID-19 vaccines and fertility

    Topics:
    • Public health policy and advice

    Date published: 14 February 2021

    There are unfortunately some bogus claims about vaccines circulating on social media. This has been the case for many years, with “anti vaxxers” spreading misinformation. The truth is that vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world and are an essential weapon against disease.

    Covid-19 news update
    Covid-19 news update

    The Covid-19 vaccines have been approved as safe and effective by independent experts.

    One of the unsubstantiated claims doing the rounds concerns Covid-19 vaccines and fertility. There is no evidence to support any concerns about fertility.

    This is not just the view of Governments and regulatory and expert advisory bodies.

    The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives recently issued statements relating to “misinformation circulating about the impact of Covid-19 vaccines on fertility”.

    https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/RCOG-and-RCM-respond-to-misinformation-around-Covid-19-vaccine-and-fertility/

    Dr Edward Morris, President at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We want to reassure women that there is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines will affect fertility. Claims of any effect of Covid-19 vaccination on fertility are speculative and not supported by any data.

    “There is​ ​no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women's fertility.”

    Similarly, Professor Lucy Chappell, a consultant obstetrician specialising in women with medical problems in pregnancy, has stated: “I can see absolutely no basis for concerns about any of the Covid-19 vaccines that are licensed in the UK and fertility.”

    https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/uk/mandatory-unsafe-and-not-halal-covid-19-vaccine-myths-debunked/

    This issue has also been examined in detail by the BBC Reality Check team.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56012529

    The public health advice is very clear – get vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect yourself, protect your health service and help us all get to a better place.

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. 
    2. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt
    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

    Latest news

    • Guidance for social care employers on responding to racism

      16 January 2026

    • Publication of Northern Ireland Cancer Waiting Time Statistics: July to September 2025

      15 January 2026

    • Statement from Health Minister on Cancer Waiting Times

      15 January 2026

    • Appointment of a Non-Executive Director to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

      12 January 2026

    More news …
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens