What We Know (and Why We Don’t List Vaccine Status)
Every so often, we hear a version of the same question: Can I choose a sperm donor who has not had the COVID-19 vaccine?
Understandably, people want clarity on this. COVID-19 remains a sensitive topic for many families, especially when fertility and future pregnancy are involved.
Our goal is not to tell anyone what they should believe, but to share what current research and federal regulations actually say. With this information, you and your healthcare team can make decisions that feel aligned with your values.
How Sperm Donor Screening Works Under FDA Rules
Sperm donors in the United States are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). That means every tissue bank, including Seattle Sperm Bank, is required to follow specific federal standards for donor eligibility, including:
- Comprehensive medical and social history
- Physical exams
- Laboratory testing for infectious diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and others)
You can read more in the FDA’s overview of reproductive tissue donation.
When COVID-19 emerged, the FDA released updated guidance for tissue establishments. The agency did not add COVID-19 vaccination status as part of donor eligibility, nor did it recommend testing asymptomatic donors for COVID-19. In addition, the FDA does not allow tissue banks to label donor products based on vaccination status, including COVID-19 vaccines. Because of these regulations, sperm banks do not collect or disclose donors’ COVID-19 vaccination records.
What Research Says About COVID-19 Vaccines and Male Fertility
Many patients who ask about unvaccinated donors are really asking a different question: Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility or sperm quality?
Current research is reassuring. Multiple studies have evaluated sperm parameters before and after COVID-19 vaccination and have not found evidence that the vaccines harm sperm.
For example, a 2021 JAMA study measured changes in semen volume, concentration, motility, and total sperm count and found no significant declines after mRNA vaccination. A 2023 study in JMIR Public Health echoed these findings, noting very few side effects and no meaningful changes in semen parameters. And a 2024 study in Frontiers in Immunology concluded that inactivated COVID-19 vaccines were “not detrimental to male fertility.”
While each study has its own limitations, the collective evidence points in the same direction: COVID-19 vaccines do not impair male fertility. So far, there is simply no scientific signal suggesting that sperm from a vaccinated donor is any different in quality or reproductive potential than sperm from an unvaccinated donor.
What We Know About COVID-19 Infection, Fertility, and Pregnancy
Questions about COVID-19 also apply to the virus itself, not just the vaccine. Researchers have learned quite a bit about how infection may affect fertility and pregnancy.
Male fertility and COVID-19 infection
Several recent studies and reviews have found that infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) can be associated with temporary declines in semen quality:
- A 2024 review found reductions in semen parameters following infection, reflecting a short-term decline in male fertility.
- A 2025 Scientific Reports study observed similar patterns, noting that recovery over several months typically led to improvement.
Not every individual will experience these changes, and they tend to resolve over time. Still, the research consistently suggests that the virus, not the vaccine, is associated with temporary reductions in sperm quality.
COVID-19, vaccination, and pregnancy
Because many patients at sperm banks are planning for pregnancy, it’s useful to look at the data on pregnancy outcomes as well. Large systematic reviews have found no increase in miscarriage, no disruptions in fetal development, and no reduction in live-birth rates associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
Professional organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) have both emphasized that vaccination does not impair fertility and is considered safe during the preconception period and during pregnancy.
In fact, because COVID-19 infection itself has been associated with increased risks in pregnancy, these groups continue to recommend vaccination as a way to reduce complications. A 2025 ACOG update on maternal immunization reinforced this, noting that current data “strongly show that COVID-19 vaccination is not associated with negative effects on pregnancy outcomes.”
Why We Don’t Share Donor COVID-19 Vaccination Status
The question often comes from a desire for control in a process that can already feel overwhelming. But the reason we don’t share donor vaccination status comes down to two factors: federal rules and scientific evidence.
First, the FDA does not treat COVID-19 vaccination as a donor eligibility criterion, and it does not allow tissue banks to label donor products based on vaccination status. That means Seattle Sperm Bank and every other regulated sperm bank are legally required to follow the same protocol.
Second, the overall body of research indicates that COVID-19 vaccines do not negatively affect sperm or fertility. In contrast, infection with the virus can temporarily affect semen quality, and infection during pregnancy can increase risks for both the pregnant patient and the developing fetus. Based on this, professional societies have focused on reducing infection rather than distinguishing between vaccinated and unvaccinated donor sperm.
Making the Choice That Feels Right for You
Every family-building journey involves personal choices, and questions about COVID-19 and vaccination can bring up strong feelings. Our role is to provide you with clear, evidence-based information and a transparent view of how donor screening actually works.
If you have questions or concerns, you’re always welcome to talk with your fertility specialist, OB-GYN, or our Client Services team. You can also review guidance from the organizations we mentioned earlier, ACOG and ASRM, which regularly update recommendations as new research becomes available.
We’re here to support you through every step of the decision-making process, with accurate information, compassionate care, and a commitment to helping you build your family in the way that feels safest and most authentic to you.
