29 dead in Norway after being vaccinated: what we know so far

The number of people over 75 with serious underlying health problems who died after taking the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines in Norway rose to 29 on Saturday. The Scandinavian country, which has inoculated more than 25,000 people since the vaccination campaign began on December 27 last year, confirmed the deaths.

Previously, the age group thought to be in the danger zone was over 80, but the six recent deaths on Saturday have dropped further to 75 and have also raised questions about which groups to target in the national vaccination program.

Here’s what we know so far:

– The Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech is the only vaccine available in Norway and all deaths are related to it, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NMA).

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– The NMA wrote to the Bloomberg news agency and confirmed that, although most people have experienced the expected side effects of the vaccine, 13 deaths have been assessed and another 16 are being analyzed for being caused by them. “13 deaths were assessed and we are aware of another 16 deaths that are being assessed,” said the agency, adding that all reported deaths are related to “elderly people with severe basic disorders”.

– The side effects seen in most people are nausea and vomiting, fever, local reactions at the injection site and worsening of the underlying condition. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), the vaccine may have marginal benefits or none at all for those who have a very short remaining life. For those with more severe frailty, even the relatively mild side effects of the vaccine can have serious consequences, he added.

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– Pfizer said it is investigating the deaths together with BioNTech and NIPH and the agency found that “the number of incidents so far is not alarming and is in line with expectations”.

– Norway, however, did not say that younger, healthier people should avoid being vaccinated.