A Complete Guide to COVID-19 for Fertility Patients

It is recommended for anyone with the ability to get the COVID vaccine to do so. The vaccine has been shown to be safe for those trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Yes! It is absolutely safe to get booster shots during fertility treatment (at any point during your cycle), and we strongly recommend them to all patients. The American College of OB/GYN also recommends booster shots for all women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

All available data strongly indicates that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility in women or men. In the randomized blinded Pfizer-BioNTech trial, a similar number of women conceived after receiving the vaccine as those who received the placebo. mRNA vaccines are taken up rapidly by muscle cells at the injection site and the mRNA is degraded in the cell once the protein is made so it does not cross the placenta.

Because the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not composed of the live virus, they are not thought to cause an increased risk of infertility, first or second trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant in order to minimize risks to themselves and their pregnancy.

The best time to get vaccinated is while you are undergoing treatment. COVID-19 vaccination will not in any way affect your treatment cycle or chances for success.

Women who are infected with COVID-19 in pregnancy are at a higher risk for severe disease including admission to the intensive care unit, need for mechanical ventilation and death. 

The best way to protect your baby is vaccination. Any woman who is attempting pregnancy or is currently pregnant should be fully vaccinated, including booster shots.

In line with guidance from ACOG, ASRM, & the CDC that shows the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and their benefit to those trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding, we do not provide vaccine exemptions.

For mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), messenger instructions (mRNA) are sent to the cells and taught how to make a spike protein found on a COVID-19 virus cell, which ultimately prompts an immune response in our bodies and the creation of antibodies. As soon as the instructions are “read,” the body gets rid of them.

For viral vector vaccines (Johnson & Johnson), a harmless, modified version of a different virus is injected into the body. Once that harmless version hits a cell, it uses the cells mechanics to then create the spike protein found in COVID-19, again prompting the creation of antibodies.

Common side effects of vaccination include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. These symptoms may persist for a few days. Side effects may be more significant following the second injection.

COVID vaccines promote the natural creation of the antibodies needed to fight off the COVID-19 virus. This is done by teaching your body how to create a look-alike version of a protein found on the surface of COVID virus cells, triggering an immune response in the body. The body will remember how to replicate these antibodies in the future, should you be exposed to the virus.

Currently available mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have documented safety and efficacy in large randomized clinical trials, preventing up to 95% of severe disease. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been shown to have a 66% efficacy rate and is effective at preventing severe illness or hospitalization. 

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant in order to minimize risks to themselves and their pregnancy. Patients who conceive in the window between the first and second dose of the vaccine should be offered the second dose of the vaccine at the appropriate interval.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow the CDC's most current guidelines to keep yourself and others as safe as possible.

We are still using video conferencing for most new patient consultations, as well as all nutrition counseling, genetic counseling, emotional support, and fertility coaching appointments.

A limited number of in-person new patient consultations are now available. If you wish to book an in-person consultation, please speak with your New Patient Liaison.

All testing, bloodwork, procedures, and other in-person necessities will be conducted in the appropriate office.

Please come in to the office only a few minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time (unless otherwise directed) in order to minimize the amount of patients in the waiting room. 

Check in for your appointment at the front desk, and ask the team if you have any questions or concerns. 

Please contact your Care Team for further instructions if you have been exposed to COVID-19. 

For morning monitoring, HSGs, and surgical procedures (such as egg retrievals or surgeries), your partner or support person is welcome to wait for you in the waiting room during your appointment, but only the patient will be allowed back for their monitoring or procedure. 

For embryo transfers, IUI procedures, pregnancy ultrasounds, and SHGs, one partner/support person is allowed to join you. 

We also ask that you avoid bringing children to your visit. If you have a childcare conflict, we will work with you to reschedule at a better time.

Please contact your Patient Navigator if you need to reschedule your visit or have any concerns. Thank you for helping keep other patients and staff safe!

As of April 2023, masks are no longer required to be worn by patients or staff in any Illume Fertility offices. Please note: masks are still required to be worn in our surgical suite in Norwalk.

We encourage you to continue wearing a mask if you feel more comfortable doing so. 

Women who are infected with COVID-19 in pregnancy are at a higher risk for severe disease including admission to the intensive care unit, need for mechanical ventilation and death.  There is also evidence to suggest that infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth. The good news is that the overall rates of any of these adverse outcomes are low. 

Presently, there is no evidence that you cannot or should not be pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The best way to protect your baby is vaccination. Any woman who is attempting pregnancy or is currently pregnant should be fully vaccinated including a booster.