SYDNEY, Australia (CU)_The deaths of a number of people in Norway who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will not alter Australia’s planned vaccine rollout, according to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
Last week, the Norwegian Medicines Agency reported that twenty-nine people have died after being administered Pfizer’s vaccine against the novel Coronavirus.
While the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia is seeking more information on the deaths, the Health Minister said there will be no changes the country’s planned vaccine program, which is due to start next month.
The government is planning to distribute the Pfizer vaccine and the locally produced AstraZeneca jab from February, and according to a survey conducted by market researcher Roy Morgan, more than three quarters of Australians are keen to be vaccinated.
Professor Brendan Murphy, secretary of the Department of Health said he was “not unduly concerned” regarding the deaths of the Norwegians, who were “very, very old and frail”.
“This group of people who had these adverse effects, and unfortunately some died, were very, very old and frail,” he said.
“It’s not clear whether the vaccine — how directly related to the death it was.”
Steinar Madsen, medical director of the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NOMA), also expressed similar views, noting that the rollout of Pfizer jab was continuing in Norway despite the deaths.
However, the Agency has made some adjustments on what the doctors should look out for, he added. “All these patients are nursing home patients — if there is a very short expected life span, if they are terminally ill, you should consider not vaccinating them.”
Meanwhile, Pfizer said in a statement that the company was aware of the reported deaths and was working with NOMA to gather all the relevant information.
“Norwegian Authorities have prioritised the immunisation of residents in nursing homes, most of whom are very elderly with underlying medical conditions and some which are terminally ill,” the statement read.
“All reported deaths will be thoroughly evaluated by NOMA to determine if these incidents are related to the vaccine.”
