OSLO / NORWAY: Twenty-three people died in Norway just days after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, with 13 of those deaths apparently related to the side effects of the injections, the New York Post reported citing health officials.
All 13 were nursing home patients and were at least 80 years old.
Common reactions to the vaccine, including fever and nausea, “may have contributed to a fatal outcome in some fragile patients,” the New York Post said quoting Sigurd Hortemo, chief physician of the Norwegian Medicines Agency, in a statement on Friday.
Although the authorities do not express serious concerns, they are adjusting their guidelines on who should receive the vaccine.
More than 30,000 people in Norway received their first injection of the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine since late last month.
The agency’s medical director, Steinar Madsen, said that “the agency is not alarmed by this”.
“It is quite clear that these vaccines have very little risk, with a small exception for the most fragile patients. Doctors must now carefully consider who should be vaccinated. Those who are very fragile and at the end of life can be vaccinated after an individual assessment, “he said.
The agency reported on Thursday that a total of 29 people suffered side effects, including the 13 people who died.
Twenty-one women and eight men experienced side effects, officials said.
In addition to those who died, nine had serious side effects – including allergic reactions, severe discomfort and severe fever – while seven had less serious effects, including severe pain at the injection site, the New York Post reported.
According to health authorities, about 400 people die each week in the population of nursing homes.
A Pfizer representative said the company is “aware of reported deaths” after administering the vaccine in Norway and is working with the Norwegian Medicines Agency to gather all relevant information.
The total number of coronavirus cases reported in Norway is 58,202, while the death toll is 517, according to Johns Hopkins University
All 13 were nursing home patients and were at least 80 years old.
Common reactions to the vaccine, including fever and nausea, “may have contributed to a fatal outcome in some fragile patients,” the New York Post said quoting Sigurd Hortemo, chief physician of the Norwegian Medicines Agency, in a statement on Friday.
Although the authorities do not express serious concerns, they are adjusting their guidelines on who should receive the vaccine.
More than 30,000 people in Norway received their first injection of the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine since late last month.
The agency’s medical director, Steinar Madsen, said that “the agency is not alarmed by this”.
“It is quite clear that these vaccines have very little risk, with a small exception for the most fragile patients. Doctors must now carefully consider who should be vaccinated. Those who are very fragile and at the end of life can be vaccinated after an individual assessment, “he said.
The agency reported on Thursday that a total of 29 people suffered side effects, including the 13 people who died.
Twenty-one women and eight men experienced side effects, officials said.
In addition to those who died, nine had serious side effects – including allergic reactions, severe discomfort and severe fever – while seven had less serious effects, including severe pain at the injection site, the New York Post reported.
According to health authorities, about 400 people die each week in the population of nursing homes.
A Pfizer representative said the company is “aware of reported deaths” after administering the vaccine in Norway and is working with the Norwegian Medicines Agency to gather all relevant information.
The total number of coronavirus cases reported in Norway is 58,202, while the death toll is 517, according to Johns Hopkins University