<p>Oxford University scientists said on Tuesday they would evaluate the effects of new coronavirus variants on pregnant women and newborns, as well as Covid-19 vaccination effects on complications during pregnancy and after birth.</p>.<p>The study comes less than a year after the university found that pregnant women with Covid-19 and their newborn children faced higher risks of complications, such as premature birth and organ failure risk, than was previously known.</p>.<p>The researchers said the study aimed to fill gaps, including the effects of new variants of the virus such as Omicron in a high-risk group that has seen "alarmingly" low rates of vaccination.</p>.<p>"The effects of Covid-19 in pregnancy have been underestimated and insufficiently studied," said Oxford University professor José Villar, who is also the co-lead of the study.</p>.<p>"Pregnant women were not even included in vaccine trials, which has allowed unscientific, scary 'information' to be widely disseminated."</p>.<p>Many global health authorities have said vaccinations during pregnancy is safe, with a US study last month finding that they were not associated with preterm delivery or underweight newborns.</p>.<p>In November, data from the UK Health Security Agency showed that Covid-19 vaccination was safe for pregnant women and not associated with higher rates of complications.</p>.<p>The upcoming British study will enrol about 1,500 women who have tested positive for the virus at any stage of pregnancy and compare them with 3,000 non-infected women over four months. Oxford scientists said they expect the trial's results in May.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Oxford University scientists said on Tuesday they would evaluate the effects of new coronavirus variants on pregnant women and newborns, as well as Covid-19 vaccination effects on complications during pregnancy and after birth.</p>.<p>The study comes less than a year after the university found that pregnant women with Covid-19 and their newborn children faced higher risks of complications, such as premature birth and organ failure risk, than was previously known.</p>.<p>The researchers said the study aimed to fill gaps, including the effects of new variants of the virus such as Omicron in a high-risk group that has seen "alarmingly" low rates of vaccination.</p>.<p>"The effects of Covid-19 in pregnancy have been underestimated and insufficiently studied," said Oxford University professor José Villar, who is also the co-lead of the study.</p>.<p>"Pregnant women were not even included in vaccine trials, which has allowed unscientific, scary 'information' to be widely disseminated."</p>.<p>Many global health authorities have said vaccinations during pregnancy is safe, with a US study last month finding that they were not associated with preterm delivery or underweight newborns.</p>.<p>In November, data from the UK Health Security Agency showed that Covid-19 vaccination was safe for pregnant women and not associated with higher rates of complications.</p>.<p>The upcoming British study will enrol about 1,500 women who have tested positive for the virus at any stage of pregnancy and compare them with 3,000 non-infected women over four months. Oxford scientists said they expect the trial's results in May.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>