Experts Dismiss Claims of COVID Vaccine Causing Infertility as False
Despite several years passing since the pandemic was declared, misinformation surrounding COVID-19 and its vaccines continues to circulate. A recent hoax has been spreading on Twitter, claiming that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had admitted that the vaccine causes infertility. However, the EMA has confirmed that there is no evidence of this link and that the claim is false.
“Misinterpretation” of 2022 Analysis Causes Hoax
Speaking to Newtral.es, the EMA revealed that a “misinterpretation” of a 2022 analysis on the effects of vaccination on menstruation had been made. While the analysis did highlight possible temporary effects on menstruation, there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine causes infertility. Several experts have also confirmed this.
False Posts and Web Pages Fuel Misinformation
The false claims of the EMA admitting the link between the vaccine and infertility were spread via Twitter. These posts attached an image of a Spanish translation of a web page headline stating that “The EMA admits that the covid vaccine causes infertility.” However, the link led to a web page that has been described as created as an alternative to the “mainstream lying media” and uses false claims to reinforce their message.
No Evidence of Link Between COVID-19 Vaccine and Infertility, Says EMA
The Spanish Fertility Society, following its own studies, also confirms that there is no evidence of long-term relationships between COVID and sterility. Obstetrics and gynecology specialist Daniel Mataró analyzed previous studies and concluded that vaccination does not affect reproductive capacity. Additionally, other international studies, such as the research conducted by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, have shown that there is “no scientific evidence of any association between vaccines against COVID-19 and impaired fertility.”
Linking COVID Vaccine with Infertility is the “Most Recurrent Hoax”
The misinformation surrounding the COVID vaccine’s link to infertility has been denied for several months by other experts in the field. Immunologist Victoria Male from Imperial College explains that a significant part of the public’s concern regarding the vaccine and infertility is due to misinformation.
EMA Confirms Side Effects, But No Link to Fertility
The EMA has clarified that the safety committee has added “heavy menstrual bleeding” as a side effect to the information on two COVID vaccines. Still, they noted most of the cases studied were of “short duration,” and there is no evidence to suggest that these changes have any impact on fertility.
This article was originally published by Newtral, part of the LatamChequea network of fact-checking outlets.
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