Since COVID-19 vaccines became available to anyone over the age of 12, millions of adolescents have been safely vaccinated. Now, children 5 to 11 years old have also been approved to get the vaccine. Whether you are the parent of a teen or a younger child, you likely have questions. Our VAX Facts video series ( bit.ly/3wOPfpq) is connecting parents with trusted Nationwide Children's Hospital pediatricians so they can get their questions answered directly.

QUESTION: Could the COVID-19 vaccine affect my child’s future fertility?

DOC ANSWER: “This is a question I get all the time both at work as well as in my private life from patients, families and even my friends and neighbors.
I want you to know there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects future pubertal development or fertility. The process to develop the COVID-19 vaccines had all the same steps and safety checks as other vaccines. Based on the available data — in both humans and in animals — there has been no harm to fertility—meaning the ability to become pregnant-- reported among the clinical trial participants or among the millions of people who have received the vaccines since they have become available to the public. However, the vaccine does significantly lower the risk of COVID infection and the risk of severe complications from the disease. We need healthy moms to support healthy pregnancies.

On a personal note, having read all the science and the studies, as well as having looked at the ingredients and how the vaccine works to create immunity and protect us from serious disease if we get COVID – I encouraged my own young adult children to get vaccinated which they both did when the vaccine was available to them. That’s because this vaccine is safe and I feel certain that it will not affect their ability to have children in the future.”

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Complete FAQ Video List: bit.ly/3psMQNR

• COVID-19 VAX Facts | Could the vaccine affect my child’s future fertility ( Download)
• Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect puberty or future fertility Rhea Boyd, MD, MPH ( Download)
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• The COVID-19 Vaccine and Fertility | Children’s Health ( Download)
• Question 2: Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect puberty or fertility in children ( Download)
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• Ask a Scientist: Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my fertility ( Download)
• What do we know about the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility Eva Goodfriend-Reaño, CNM ( Download)
• Ask about the Vax: COVID-19 Vaccines & Pregnancy, Fertility & Breastfeeding ( Download)