Can I Be a Surrogate if I’ve Had the COVID-19 Vaccine?

If you received a COVID-19 vaccine and you’re now thinking about becoming a surrogate, you’ve probably wondered whether that affects your eligibility. It comes up often — and understandably so. The early days of vaccine rollout generated a lot of noise about potential fertility effects, and not all of it was accurate.

The short answer: having a COVID-19 vaccine does not disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. Medical and reproductive health organizations are consistent on this point, and the research bears it out. At Physician’s Surrogacy, our physician-led screening evaluates your full health history — and vaccination status alone is not a disqualifying factor.

Here’s what the current evidence actually says, and what you can expect during screening.

Key Takeaways

• COVID-19 vaccination does not disqualify you from becoming a surrogate at Physician’s Surrogacy.
• No credible medical evidence shows that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines harm fertility, ovarian reserve, or IVF outcomes.
• ASRM and the CDC both recommend COVID-19 vaccination for individuals who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
• Our physician-designed screening reviews your complete health history — vaccination is not a disqualifying factor.
• Questions about your specific health situation are best addressed during the intake process with our team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified medical professional for guidance specific to your situation.

What the Medical Evidence Says

The concern that COVID-19 vaccines might harm fertility was widespread in 2021 and continues to circulate in some communities. It’s worth addressing directly, because the evidence does not support it.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) published a 2024 committee opinion on vaccines for patients planning pregnancy, concluding that COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for individuals who are pregnant or considering pregnancy. The ASRM states that COVID-19 infection — not vaccination — increases the risk of complications during pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is equally direct. According to the CDC’s guidance on COVID-19 vaccination and fertility, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems in women or men. Studies found no meaningful differences in pregnancy success rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, including those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in PMC examined multiple studies on COVID-19 vaccines and human fertility. Researchers found no adverse effects of vaccination on ovarian reserve, hormone levels, fertilization rates, implantation rates, or pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF. The review concluded that current data affirm no negative effects of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility.

Why mRNA Vaccines Don’t Affect Fertility

Much of the early concern about COVID-19 vaccines and fertility stemmed from a misunderstanding of how mRNA vaccines work. The theory was that the spike protein produced in response to vaccination might interfere with proteins involved in placental formation.

That theory has not held up. mRNA vaccines do not alter DNA, do not enter the cell nucleus, and do not produce a lasting immune response that cross-reacts with reproductive proteins. The mRNA itself breaks down within days of injection. What remains is the immune memory — antibodies that protect against the virus, with no mechanism by which fertility would be affected.

This is why the joint statement from ASRM, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine concluded that COVID-19 vaccines do not impact fertility. The concern was biologically implausible from the start, and the clinical data since then have confirmed it.

Does the COVID Vaccine Affect IVF or Embryo Transfer?

This question matters for surrogates specifically, because gestational surrogacy involves an embryo transfer — a procedure where an embryo created through IVF is placed into your uterus by a partner fertility clinic.

The evidence here is also reassuring. Multiple studies reviewed by the CDC found no differences in pregnancy success rates among women who received COVID-19 vaccines compared to those who had not, including specifically in IVF contexts. One study of more than 2,000 women found that COVID-19 vaccination had no effect on the likelihood of becoming pregnant.

One note of nuance: a 2025 study examining inactivated COVID-19 vaccines — a type used predominantly outside the United States — found a possible modest reduction in outcomes when vaccination occurred very close to ovarian stimulation. The researchers suggested that receiving a vaccine more than 90 days before ovarian stimulation may reduce any potential effects. The mRNA vaccines used in the U.S. — Pfizer and Moderna — did not show this pattern in the reviewed literature.

If you have timing questions about your vaccination history and a planned embryo transfer, bring them to our medical team during screening. Our physicians can review your specific situation directly.

What Physician’s Surrogacy’s Screening Actually Looks For

Our surrogate screening process is designed by in-house board-certified OB/GYNs and exceeds standard ASRM guidelines. It’s thorough by design — because medical safety for surrogates is the foundation of everything we do.

The screening reviews:

• Your pregnancy and delivery history
• Overall physical health and relevant medical history
• Psychological readiness and stability
• Body Mass Index (BMI) and other health indicators
• IVF center compatibility

COVID-19 vaccination history is not a disqualifying factor in this process. Our physicians look for conditions that could affect your ability to carry a pregnancy safely — not the presence of a widely recommended vaccine.

If you have questions about any part of your health history and how it might affect your eligibility, the intake process is the right place to raise them. Our surrogate intake coordinator will walk through your history with you, and our medical team is available to answer clinical questions directly.

Common Questions About the COVID Vaccine and Surrogate Eligibility

A few specific questions come up regularly from applicants who’ve been vaccinated.

Does it matter which vaccine I received?

The available evidence focuses primarily on mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — which are the most widely administered in the United States. These vaccines have not shown adverse effects on fertility or IVF outcomes in the reviewed literature. If you received a different vaccine type, discuss the specifics with your doctor and raise it during our intake process.

What if I’m due for a booster?

ASRM recommends that individuals who are pregnant or planning pregnancy stay current with COVID-19 vaccines per CDC guidelines. If you’re in the process of applying to become a surrogate, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations is generally encouraged — not penalized.

What if I had COVID-19 and then got vaccinated?

Prior COVID-19 infection followed by vaccination is common and is not a disqualifying factor in our screening. If COVID-19 caused any documented health complications, our physicians review those as part of your medical history — as they would for any health event.

Will the intended parents have any say in whether I get a booster during the pregnancy?

Vaccination decisions during pregnancy are documented in the surrogacy agreement and discussed between you, the intended parents, and the medical team. Your bodily autonomy is protected — medical decisions related to your body remain yours, in consultation with your OB/GYN. The surrogacy agreement addresses expectations around vaccinations in advance so there are no surprises during the journey.

What to Do If You Have More Questions

Medical questions about your personal history — including vaccination history, prior health events, or anything else you’re uncertain about — are best addressed through a direct conversation with our team rather than a general article.

Our intake process exists precisely for this reason. You share your background, our intake coordinator discusses your situation, and our physicians review your history with the same rigor we apply to every candidate.

Physician’s Surrogacy is the only surrogacy agency in the U.S. managed by practicing OB/GYNs. That means your medical questions about surrogate eligibility don’t get routed through a non-clinical coordinator — they go to physicians who understand reproductive medicine and can give you a real, specific answer.

If you’re ready to find out whether you qualify, start your application and our team will be in touch. You can also review the full list of surrogate requirements on our site before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having the COVID vaccine disqualify me as a surrogate?

No. COVID-19 vaccination does not disqualify surrogate applicants at Physician’s Surrogacy. ASRM and the CDC both recommend vaccination for individuals who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Can the COVID vaccine affect my ability to carry a surrogate pregnancy?

Current evidence does not support this. Studies of vaccinated women undergoing IVF have not found meaningful differences in fertilization rates, implantation rates, or pregnancy outcomes compared to unvaccinated women.

Do I need to disclose my vaccination history during surrogate screening?

Yes — our screening reviews your complete health history, which includes vaccination history. This is standard medical practice and helps our physicians understand your full picture. It is not a disqualifying disclosure.

What if I have concerns about vaccines and want to discuss them before applying?

Our intake coordinator and medical team are available to discuss your concerns directly. You can reach out to our team before submitting a formal application if you’d prefer to ask questions first.

Does COVID-19 infection — not the vaccine — affect surrogate eligibility?

A prior COVID-19 infection is reviewed as part of your medical history. A mild case with no lasting complications is unlikely to affect eligibility. Any documented ongoing health effects would be reviewed by our physicians on a case-by-case basis.