Phew.
With many citing fertility concerns as their main reason not to get vaccinated against Covid-19, this new study might provide some clarity and relief.
Sperm count and quality did not drop in healthy young men after receiving a first or second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, according to a new study published Thursday in JAMA.
The study used semen samples from 45 men between the ages of 25 and 31, who were pre-screened to make sure they had no fertility issues. Samples were taken before the first shot of an mRNA vaccine, then 70 days after the second dose. Semen was then examined to determine sperm volume, concentration, motility and total sperm count.
“We found no changes in sperm parameters in the young healthy men that we studied who received both doses of mRNA vaccine,” said study author Dr Ranjith Ramasamy, director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the University of Miami Health System.
The study did not test the Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca vaccines, which are not based on mRNA platforms
“However, we think the mechanism of how these vaccines work is all fairly similar despite different genetic material, so based on biology, we don’t think there should be anything different with the other two vaccines,” Ramasamy said.
Speaking about the findings with CNN, Dr David Cohen, co-medical director of the Institute for Human Reproduction in Chicago. said:
“We now have evidence that should reassure you that the risk of immunization compromising your sperm count is extremely low.”
Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield in the UK was not involved in the study, but said to CNN Health:
“This is reassuring data which suggests that sperm quality is not significantly altered by receiving two doses of one of the new mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. I hope this provides some reassurance to any men who may be concerned about their fertility if they accept one of these types of vaccines.”
