AstraZeneca concerns rise in Norway

More cases of post vaccination blood clotting reported today

The Norwegian Medicines Agency (Legemiddelverket) is investigating three more cases of severe blood clotting following AstraZeneca vaccinations. The agency says all three cases came in today and all three are young people who are now hospitalized and receiving treatment. 

The agency says if anyone under the age of 50 who has been vaccinated with AstraZeneca in the last 14 days begins to feel increasingly ill and notices blue spots on their skin they need to see a doctor or get to an emergency room immediately. 

In a press release the Norwegian Medicines Agency says skin hemorrhages, small or large blue spots on the skin, can be a sign of decreased platelet count, a commonality among all three patients today.

The Norwegian Medicines Agency is providing more details about the death of a young health care worker yesterday. It says the young person suffered an unexpected and fatal brain hemorrhage after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca.

Director of Infection Control Geir Bukholm.

“It is now the Norwegian Medicines Agency's role to follow up on these suspected side effects and take the necessary measures in this serious situation.”

The agency will now take a closer look at all reports of blood clots and bleeding after receiving a COVID vaccine. 

Norway joined Denmark and other E.U. countries in suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday after getting reports of severe blood clotting after AstraZeneca vaccinations. 

A number of health agencies across a number of European countries, along with the European Medicines Agency, are all investigating to see if the severe blood clotting is linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, no conclusion has been reached.