India, Feb. 6 -- COVID-19 vaccination is unlikely to be responsible for the decline in childbirth observed during the pandemic, according to a new study by researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden.

The findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, counter widespread rumours - particularly on social media - claiming that mRNA vaccines impair fertility.

Since the onset of the pandemic, unsubstantiated claims have circulated suggesting that COVID-19 vaccination could reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. A subsequent decline in birth rates in several countries, including Sweden, prompted questions about whether newly introduced vaccines could be a contributing factor.

To investigate, researchers analysed data from ne...