There are different types of COVID-19 vaccines at different approval stages within the EU.
Nowadays, only three vaccines have been approved for use in the EU, after their review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorization from the European Commission. The European vaccination strategy prioritizes the vaccination of risk groups (elderly people, with previous pathologies) as well as groups with a higher risk of exposure (health workers).
However, in the face of the many doubts that have arisen in reference to the COVID-19 vaccine, pregnancy and breastfeeding, both the SEF (Spanish Fertility Society) and Asebir (Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology) have issued their recommendations to try to answer them.
At the present time, we do not have enough information about the possible effects of the vaccine in assisted reproduction treatments or future pregnancy. In animal studies there are no negative effects, but safety data during pregnancy are very scarce as pregnant and lactating women were excluded from initial clinical trials.
If I am vaccinated or want to be vaccinated, should I postpone the search for a pregnancy?
Both the Ministry of Health and SEF / ASEBIR recommend that, if you are considering a pregnancy, as a precautionary measure you can wait two weeks after the administration of the second dose to allow the immune system to adapt.
Given that the vaccination schedule for women at fertility age is not completely defined, SEF / ASEBIR consider that it is not justified to postpone the desire for gestation or the start of an assisted reproduction study or treatment. Nowadays, there are no scientific criteria that establish limitations for patients who wish to become pregnant and get the vaccine.
However, any woman who has experienced notable side effects after the vaccine should not start any treatment until she gets her doctor's approval.
Should pregnant women get vaccinated?
Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19 than those who are not. Information on the use of vaccines in pregnancy is still very limited. However, in the case of pregnant women from risk groups or those belonging to higher exposure groups, where the disease could seriously compromise their health, vaccination should be consulted with their doctor and the risk / benefit should be weighed.
Should women be vaccinated while breastfeeding?
There are also no data on the effect of the vaccine on breastfeeding, but no risk is expected. Nowadays, the WHO does not advise against vaccination and lactating women who are part of risk groups or higher exposure groups should not be excluded from vaccination programs. Furthermore, the WHO recommends not interrupting breastfeeding after vaccination.