29 people have died in Norway after getting Pfizer vaccine. New 6 people included in the death toll have comparatively around 75 years old. While 23 people who died earlier were around 80 years old.
The deaths of elderly after getting Pfizer has put experts and scientists in a concerning situation. Cautioning against vaccinating elderly people, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health had issued a statement that those with short life span, above the age of 80, will not be benefitted with a jab.
Norway has given one dose to atleast 42,000 people and the death of 29 people at a time of vaccination drives across the globe has put a question mark on the capability of Pfizer vaccine.
The Norwegian Medicine Agency said all deaths are linked to BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine because it was the only vaccine available in the country that was administered to people. The reported deaths were related to 'serious basic disorders," as per the agency.
"Most people have experienced the expected side effects of the vaccine, such as nausea and vomiting, fever, local reactions at the injection site, and worsening of their underlying condition," it added.
Why Australia is concerned?
Australia is particularly concerned with the Pfizer linked deaths because it has an agreement of getting 10 million doses of Pfizer. Now the country is seeking information related to the vaccine from its producers, health authorities and Norway's government.
Greg Hunt, health minister of Australia told the reporters while sharing the government's concern about the vaccine. The foreign ministry of Australia will also connect with its counterpart in Norway over the issue of possible vaccine failure.
Tracking the safety of vaccines made with new technology such as messenger mRNA will be a huge challenge once the vaccines are rolled out across the globe, said Emer Cooke, the new head of the European Medicines Agency.
The vaccine developments in the elderly in Norway prompted European health authority to term it as 'too risky' for the very old and terminally ill.
Pfizer and BioNTech are working with Norwegian authorities to investigate and ascertain the reasons behind the death of elderly after the vaccine was administered to them. Norway's medicine agency has said, "We are aware that deaths have also been reported in other countries, but do not have full details of this yet." The agency further added, "There are also differences between countries in who is prioritized for vaccination, and this could also affect the reporting of side effects, including death."
Prior to vaccination the Norwegian Medicine Agency had had communicated that while vaccinating the oldest and sickest, deaths may happen but the agency said it should not be taken on the face value. There may or may not be any causal relationship between vaccination and deaths.
Read More: 23 elderly die after getting Pfizer vaccine in Norway