NEW DELHI, Jun 22 (NNN-PTI) – India’s federal health ministry, yesterday, dispelled rumours of COVID-19 vaccine affecting people’s fertility.
Terming the rumours false and baseless, the ministry said, there was no scientific evidence to prove such claims.
“None of the available vaccines affects fertility, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later in humans, to assess if they have any such side effects. Vaccines are authorised for use only after their safety and efficacy is assured,” the health ministry said in a statement.
“Furthermore, in order to curb the prevalent myth, regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination, the government clarified, there are no scientific evidence suggesting COVID-19 vaccination can cause infertility in men and women,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), recommended the COVID-19 vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe, with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the vaccination.
India started vaccination against COVID-19 on Jan 16, by administering two made-in-India vaccines, namely Covishield and Covaxin.
Serum Institute of India is manufacturing AstraZeneca-Oxford University’s Covishield, while Bharat Biotech, which partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research, is manufacturing Covaxin.
Of late Russian COVID-19 vaccine – Sputnik V was also rolled out in the country.– NNN-PTI
