The COVID-19 Working Group of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embriology, ESHRE, coordinated by Dr Anna Veiga, R&D director of the Biology Area of the Reproductive Medicine Service of Dexeus Mujer, has just published guidelines to expand the information on the indication of the COVID 19 vaccine in relation to patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatments (ART).

Getting vaccinated before starting the treatment? According to experts, animal studies have not shown the vaccine to have any harmful effects during pregnancy. However, the available data are limited, therefore, the ESHRE cannot offer a recommendation on whether assisted reproductive patients should be vaccinated before starting treatment. In women with health problems or conditions that increase the risk of suffering complications in pregnancy or serious disorders in the case of contracting COVID 19, the indication to be vaccinated before trying to conceive should be considered. Likewise, the ESHRE advises not to limit access to ART to the population residing in areas where vaccination is not available or who decide not to be vaccinated.

In the case of patients or couples who have been vaccinated, it is normally recommended to postpone at least some days the start of treatment – collection of the semen sample, ovarian stimulation, and embryo transfer – until the vaccination has been completed (that is, after the second dose, if necessary) to allow time for the immune response to settle. As there is no conclusive information on the effect of the vaccine on oocytes, sperm, embryo implantation and the early stages of pregnancy, the ESHRE considers that a more cautious approach could be considered (postpone the start of treatment until 2 months).

As for pregnant women, the vaccines currently available in Europe are approved by the European Medicines Agency, but there is no sufficient information on their long-term effects during pregnancy and lactation, so the indication for the vaccine should be assessed individually by a healthcare professional considering the possible risks and benefits. The ESHRE considers that pregnant women should be informed about this lack of information without implying that they are excluded from vaccination programs.

Regarding the healthcare personnel of the assisted reproduction centres, they should be included among the priority population groups to receive the vaccine to protect them and to reduce the risk of contagion, based on individual risk and benefit.

More information:

Statements Assisted reproduction and COVID-19