SARS‐CoV‐2 Vaccination is Not Associated With Involuntary Childlessness in Female Healthcare Workers: A Multicenter Cohort Study

TL;DR

This study found no link between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection and involuntary childlessness among female healthcare workers.

Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence refuting concerns about SARS-CoV-2 vaccines causing involuntary childlessness.

Findings

3.2% of female healthcare workers reported involuntary childlessness since the pandemic.

No significant association was found between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and involuntary childlessness.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 also showed no link to involuntary childlessness.

Abstract

There is debate about the causes of the recent birth rate decline in high‐income countries worldwide. During the pandemic, concern about the effects on reproductive health has caused vaccine hesitancy. We investigated the association of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and infection with involuntary childlessness.

Females in fertility age within a prospective multicenter cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) were followed since August 2020. Data on baseline health, SARS‐CoV‐2‐infection, and vaccination were obtained and regularly updated, in which serum samples were collected repetitively and screened for anti‐nucleocapsid and anti‐spike antibodies. In October 2023, participants indicated the presence of involuntary childlessness with onset during the pandemic, whereas those indicating an onset before the pandemic were excluded. The association of involuntary childlessness and SARS‐CoV‐2‐vaccination and infection was investigated using univariable and multivariable analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to compare those reporting involuntary childlessness with those birthing a child since 2020.

Of 798 participants, 26 (3.2%) reported involuntary childlessness starting since the pandemic. Of the involuntary childless women, 73.1% (19/26) were vaccinated compared to 86.0% (664/772) without involuntary childlessness (p = 0.73). SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was reported by 76.9% (20/26) compared to 72.4% (559/772) of controls (p = 0.64). Neither SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination (aOR 0.91 per dose, 95%CI 0.67–1.26) nor infection (aOR per infection 1.05, 95%CI 0.62–1.71) was associated with involuntary childlessness. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results.

Among female HCW of fertility age, 3.2% indicated involuntary childlessness, which is comparable to pre‐pandemic data. No association between involuntary childlessness and SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination or infection was found.

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