Norway pauses use of AstraZeneca vaccine
Norway is putting vaccinations with AstraZeneca’s corona vaccine on hold.
The decision was made after Denmark and five other countries decided to put vaccinations with AstraZeneca vaccines on hold due to several vaccinated people reporting blood clots.
“We are waiting to see if there is any connection between the vaccination and these cases of blood clots,” infection control director Geir Bukholm at the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) noted.
He added that the Norwegian Medicines Agency has initiated investigations of the vaccine.
“We are collaborating with the European Medicines Agency to see what kind of data they have, and we will also consult with other European countries that use the vaccine,” he told NTB.
“Advantages of good European cooperation”
In Denmark, they have put the vaccination on pause for 14 days, and Bukholm says the FHI hopes to clarify the situation by then.
Bukholm says that no specific studies have been done in Norway related to the vaccine’s side effects in the form of blood clots.
“But there has been a careful review of all reported side effects before the vaccine was approved in Europe. This is one of the advantages of having good European cooperation in the pharmaceutical field, that we get reports of side effects from other countries,” he noted.
Doses that have been distributed throughout Norway to be stored locally
The FHI decided to stop the distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Norwegian municipalities. Those that have already received the vaccines must store them locally.
Norwegian health authorities decided to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine until the European Medicines Agency has investigated the suspicion that it may lead to blood clots.
“In Norway, there are so far 121,820 people vaccinated with AstraZeneca. This pause means that we will stop the distribution of AstraZeneca vaccines until further notice. The doses that have been sent out will be stored in accordance with regulations on site,” Bukholm said.
Delays to the vaccination program
He pointed out that AstraZeneca had already announced delays in deliveries in the coming weeks.
Bukholm also noted that this pause could lead to the vaccination program being somewhat delayed.
Denmark and several European countries have stopped using the vaccine due to suspicion that it can lead to severe blood clots. There is one death in Denmark allegedly related to the case.
No connection has been established between the cases and the vaccine.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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