Authors
Claims suggesting women not to take the COVID-19 vaccine 5 days before and after their periods due to its effect on one’s immunity has been doing rounds on social media.
On 1 May 2021, India will begin phase 3 of the immunization programme wherein all eighteen years and above will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine manufacturers can now directly sell 50% of their supply to states, private hospitals and other public entities, while the remaining 50% will go to the Centre. The Centre has issued guidelines for the state ahead of Phase 3.
Newschecker received one such claim on its Whatsapp tipline (9999499044) asking for verification. The claim reads:
A reminder for all women. Vaccination is starting from May 1st for above 18, for girls it’s very important to check periods and take vaccination. Don’t take the vaccine before and after 5 days of your periods because immunity will be very less during periods. Dosage of vaccine first decreases immunity, later it builds immunity so, there is a high risk of attack for one who vaccinated during periods. Share with your sister/ friend/ family/ girlfriend don’t feel shame to share!!!
Another image shared on social media platforms shares a similar claim suggesting women to avoid taking the COVID-19 vaccine around their periods.
An example shared on Twitter can be read here.
Fact Check / Verification
First, we could not find any scientific evidence to support the claim suggesting that women should be careful while taking the COVID-19 vaccine around their menstrual cycle as it can “affect immunity” of a person.
Neither the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare nor India’s two manufacturers— Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) and Serum Institute of India (Covishield)—have cautioned menstruators against getting vaccinated close to their cycle.
Dr Karan, part of Team Halo’s ongoing effort to debunk misinformation around COVID-19 vaccine, explains via video that a person’s endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus is part of the immune system. “So, as the body reacts to an immune response with fevers, headaches, bodyache, so might the lining of the uterus with temporary endometrial inflammation. It’s a normal response…key thing is; its short lived and does not affect fertility.”
Press Information Bureau’s fact-check wing also debunked the post circulating on social media claiming that women should not take #COVID19Vaccine 5 days before and after their menstrual cycle terming it fake.
A medical expert took to Twitter to debunk this rumour as well stating “your period has no effect on the vaccine efficacy.”
We’ve reached out to a gynaecologist for further clarification on one’s immunity during the menstrual cycle as well as it’s association to the COVID-19 vaccine. This fact check will be updated when we receive a response from them.
Conclusion
Claims suggesting women not to take the COVID-19 vaccine 5 days before and after their periods due to its effect on one’s immunity is misleading. There’s no scientific evidence or data to support this claim. Additionally, medical experts have refuted the claim.
Result: Misleading
Our Sources
Team Halo: https://twitter.com/projecthalo/status/1385636367280091137
PIB Fact-check: https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1385876282555072515
Dr Munjaal Kapadia: https://twitter.com/ScissorTongue/status/1385822292597379075?s=20
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