29 people have died in Norway after getting Pfizervaccine. New 6 people included in the death toll have comparatively around 75years old. While 23 people who died earlier were around 80 years old.
The deaths of elderly after getting Pfizer has putexperts and scientists in a concerning situation. Cautioning againstvaccinating elderly people, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health had issueda statement that those with short life span, above the age of 80, will not bebenefitted with a jab.
Norway has given one dose to atleast 42,000 people andthe death of 29 people at a time of vaccination drives across the globe has puta question mark on the capability of Pfizer vaccine.
The Norwegian Medicine Agency said all deaths are linkedto BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine because it was the only vaccine available in thecountry that was administered to people. The reported deaths were related to 'seriousbasic disorders," as per the agency.
"Most people have experienced the expected sideeffects of the vaccine, such as nausea and vomiting, fever, local reactions atthe injection site, and worsening of their underlying condition," itadded.
WhyAustralia is concerned?
Australia is particularly concerned with the Pfizerlinked deaths because it has an agreement of getting 10 million doses ofPfizer. Now the country is seeking information related to the vaccine from itsproducers, health authorities and Norway's government.
Greg Hunt, health minister of Australia told thereporters while sharing the government's concern about the vaccine. The foreignministry of Australia will also connect with its counterpart in Norway over theissue of possible vaccine failure.
Tracking the safety of vaccines made with new technologysuch as messenger mRNA will be a huge challenge once the vaccines are rolledout across the globe, said Emer Cooke, the new head of the European MedicinesAgency.
The vaccine developments in the elderly in Norwayprompted European health authority to term it as 'too risky' for the very oldand terminally ill.
Pfizer and BioNTech are working with Norwegianauthorities to investigate and ascertain the reasons behind the death ofelderly after the vaccine was administered to them. Norway's medicine agencyhas said, "We are aware that deaths have also been reported in othercountries, but do not have full details of this yet." The agency furtheradded, "There are also differences between countries in who is prioritizedfor vaccination, and this could also affect the reporting of side effects,including death."
Prior to vaccination the Norwegian Medicine Agency hadhad communicated that while vaccinating the oldest and sickest, deaths mayhappen but the agency said it should not be taken on the face value. There mayor may not be any causal relationship between vaccination and deaths.