What to Know About Covid-19s Impact on Fertility Treatments

Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Updated: June 2026

Quick Answer: COVID-19 no longer materially disrupts fertility treatment in the United States. Clinics operate at full capacity, telehealth has expanded patient access, and current CDC and ASRM guidance confirms that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and recommended before and during pregnancy.

Key Takeaways

• Most clinics now treat an active COVID-19 infection like any other acute illness, typically delaying procedures by 10 to 14 days rather than canceling a cycle.
• CDC data shows pregnant individuals who are unvaccinated face a modestly elevated risk of preterm birth; vaccination brings outcomes back to baseline.
• ASRM, ACOG, and the CDC all recommend COVID-19 vaccination for anyone trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Telehealth is now a permanent part of fertility care, including consultations, result reviews, and counseling.
• Mental health support is more integrated into fertility care than it was pre-pandemic, with most clinics offering or referring to a reproductive psychologist.

At Elevate Baby, we have been answering questions about how COVID-19 has affected fertility treatment, family building, and the people we serve for years. What began as a wave of uncertainty in 2020 has settled into a clearer, more confident picture.

The questions intended parents are asking today are different from those they were five years ago, but many of the same concerns persist. Below are the answers we are giving in 2026, grounded in current research and clinical practice.

How Does COVID-19 Affect Egg Retrieval or Embryo Transfer Today?

For the vast majority of patients, it does not. Fertility clinics now have well-established infection-control protocols, and a positive COVID test no longer means automatic cycle cancellation. Most clinics will assess the patient’s symptoms, vaccination status, and overall health before deciding whether to proceed.

If you test positive close to a planned retrieval or transfer, your clinic may recommend a short delay (typically 10 to 14 days) to ensure your body is in the best condition for the procedure. This is similar to how clinics handle any acute illness. 

What If a Retrieval or Transfer Needs to Be Postponed?

Postponements are far less common than they were in 2020, but they do still happen, usually for individual health reasons rather than systemic ones. If a delay is needed, your clinic will work with you to reschedule as quickly as your body and protocol allow. Most rescheduled cycles begin within four to six weeks.

Does COVID-19 Affect Pregnancy?

Years of accumulated data give us a much clearer answer than we had in 2020. According to the CDC, pregnant individuals who contract COVID-19 face a modestly elevated risk of preterm birth and complications compared to those who do not, particularly if they are unvaccinated. This is why ASRM, ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and the CDC all recommend COVID-19 vaccination before and during pregnancy.

The good news: vaccinated individuals have outcomes comparable to pre-pandemic baselines, and vertical transmission (passing the virus from mother to baby) remains rare.

Are Fertility Treatments Still Considered “Elective”?

This question came up often in 2020, when state and federal guidance temporarily classified IVF as non-essential. That classification is no longer in effect, and fertility care is recognized as time-sensitive medical care.

The word “elective” still carries weight in insurance contexts, but no one in the field considers your family-building journey optional. We never did.

Has Fertility Treatment Returned to Normal?

In many ways, it is better than normal. Some changes from the pandemic era proved so beneficial that they became permanent:

• Telehealth consultations for initial visits, results reviews, and psychological screening
• Streamlined remote document signing and onboarding for donors, surrogates, and intended parents
• Stronger mental health support integration across most clinics and agencies
• Greater transparency around success rates, costs, and timelines

ART cycle volume in the United States, per the CDC’s most recent report, has surpassed 432,000 cycles annually, exceeding any pre-pandemic level.

What Mental Health Resources Are Available?

The fertility journey is emotional, and the pandemic taught the industry to take that emotional weight seriously. Today, you have more support options than ever:

• Most fertility clinics have an in-house or affiliated reproductive psychologist
• RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, offers free support groups (both virtual and in-person)
• Mental Health Match and Inclusive Therapists offer searchable directories of therapists who specialize in family building
• Many agencies, including Elevate Baby, include mental health check-ins as part of the standard process

If you are struggling, please reach out. You do not have to carry this alone.

We’re Here for You

The pandemic taught us how to be more thoughtful, more flexible, and more present for the families we serve. Whatever stage of family building you are in, we will help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get fertility treatment if I have COVID-19? 

Most clinics will recommend a short delay (about 10 to 14 days) if you have an active infection. This is to ensure your body is in the best condition for treatment.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility? 

No. Multiple large studies published by the CDC, ASRM, and peer-reviewed journals have found no link between COVID-19 vaccination and reduced fertility.

Are telehealth fertility appointments as effective as in-person ones? 

For consultations, results reviews, and counseling, yes. Procedures and monitoring still require in-person visits, but the front-end and follow-up portions of care have largely shifted to telehealth.

Where can I find mental health support during fertility treatment? 

RESOLVE (resolve.org), your clinic’s affiliated reproductive psychologist, and the Elevate Baby team are great starting points.