Norway has so far given at least one dose to about 33,000
people, focusing on those considered to be most at risk if they contract the
virus, including the elderly.
Norway says there are risks that Covid-19 vaccinations may
be too risky for the very old and terminally sick, after 23 people died within
a short time of receiving their first shot.
At least 23 people who received the COVID-19 vaccine
developed by U.S. firm Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech have died in Norway, with
13 of the fatalities linked to the vaccine's side effects, authorities said
Thursday.
All 13 individuals were above the age of 80, according to
the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
It noted that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's common side
effects, such as fever and nausea, could have contributed to the death of some
elderly recipients of the shot.
Along with the 13 deaths, nine cases of serious side effects
and seven instances of less serious side effects have been recorded, the
agency's medical director, Steinar Madsen, told national broadcaster NRK.
Norway launched its vaccination campaign last month, right
after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by the European Medicines Agency
(EMA).
Norway has so far given at least one dose to about 33,000
people, focusing on those considered to be most at risk if they contract the
virus, including the elderly. Most of the shots given are from BioNTec/Pfizer,
with the Moderna vaccine now also being administered.
The latest figures show Norway's virus caseload currently
stands at 57,736, including 511 fatalities.