23 deaths in Norway after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine jab, guidelines adjusted

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

 

Health officials in Norway are adjusting their Covid vaccination after reports that 23 elderly people have died in days following the Pfizer jab.

According to reports, out of the 23 deaths, 13 elderly people died possibly from side effects after being given a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

All those who died were care home residents aged over 80. 

But the National Medicines regulator insists it's not alarmed by the numbers adding the risks are low except among the most frail of patients and people with underlying health issues. 

Norway launched it covid immunization with the Pfizer vaccine in late December and on Friday rolled out  the Moderna vaccine too.  Nursing home residents are on the priority list.  

They say that the vaccine targeting needs to be adjusted and cautioned against vaccinating those above 80 years.

Experts agree that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks but a caution is nonetheless needed for the most vulnerable.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health said, for those with the most severe frailty, even relatively mild vaccine side effects can have serious consequences.

Pfizer and BioNTech are working with the Norwegian authorities to investigate the deaths in Norway.