Norway’s National Institute of Public Health has revised and changed the vaccination guide for the new coronavirus following 23 reported deaths of elderly people associated with adverse reactions to the vaccine.
According to the Norwegian Medicines Agency’s website, “as of 14 January, 23 death notifications for adverse reactions have been registered”. The report includes for the time being only the 13 registrations that have already been assessed by the Norwegian Medicines Agency and the National Institute of Public Health, which in the meantime has changed its advice on the vaccination of the most fragile elderly. The remaining registers are still under review.
“All notifications of deaths after vaccination are carefully considered,” the Agency stresses.
“Reports indicate that common side effects of mRNA vaccines, such as fever and nausea, may have caused death to some fragile patients,” said Sigurd Hortemo, medical officer at the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
The Associated press (AP) also advanced today with this news, but makes reference only to the 13 deaths already analyzed, and not to the 23 as reported by the Norwegian Medicines Agency on its website.
AP quotes Steinar Madsen, the agency’s medical director:
“We are not alarmed by this. It is quite clear that these vaccines have a very low risk, with the small exception of the most fragile patients. Doctors must now carefully consider who should be vaccinated. Those who are very fragile and at the end of their lives can be vaccinated after an individual assessment”.
In its report of 14 January, the Norwegian Medicines Agency indicates that 29 patients between the ages of 18 and +90 had side effects. In addition, the agency reveals that nine patients had serious side effects without fatal consequences and seven had less serious side effects.
