The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has paused vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca after we became aware of cases of serious suspected side effects with the combination of blood clots, bleeding and low platelet counts. As of March 23, five such cases have been reported, three of the reports concern deaths, the other two are being treated in hospital. The Norwegian Medicines Agency believes that there is a probable connection with the AstraZeneca vaccine and these rare cases.
Further research is needed to clarify what triggers the rare disease picture. NIPH will decide on the further use of the AstraZeneca vaccine and will provide an update at the end of week 12.
Adverse reaction reports we have received do not provide a basis for changing the current recommendations for vaccination with Comirnaty (BioNtech / Pfizer) and COVID-19 vaccine Moderna.
