23 dead in Norway after receiving first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shot

Nearly 23 people have died in Norway soon after receiving the first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine, reported BMJ Journal.

While commenting on this issue, Steinar Madsen, Medical Director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NOMA) said a direct connection is yet to be established between these deaths and the vaccine

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13 out of 23 deaths which NOMA has investigated so far have common adverse reactions of mRNA vaccines, such as fever, nausea, and diarrhoea. “There is a possibility that these common adverse reactions, that are not dangerous in fitter, younger patients and are not unusual with vaccines, may aggravate underlying disease in the elderly,” Madsen said.

He noted, “We are not alarmed or worried about this, because these are very rare occurrences and they occurred in very frail patients with very serious disease. We are now asking for doctors to continue with the vaccination, but to carry out an extra evaluation of very sick people whose underlying condition might be aggravated by it.”

Pfizer said in a statement, “Pfizer and BioNTech are aware of reported deaths following the administration of BNT162b2. We are working with NOMA to gather all the relevant information. All reported deaths will be thoroughly evaluated by NOMA to determine if these incidents are related to the vaccine. The Norwegian government will also consider adjusting their vaccination instructions to take the patients’ health into more consideration. Our immediate thoughts are with the bereaved families”

Meanwhile, the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany is also investigating 10 deaths shortly after getting the COVID-19 vaccine shot.