Norway gives AstraZeneca the boot

The risks outweighed the rewards according to Norwegian health officials

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Norway has become the second country, after Denmark, to entirely ditch the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

National Institute of Public Health Director of Infection Control Geir Bukholm says this was not an easy decision and there will be consequences, particularly with regards to Norway’s vaccination schedule. 

He says that since the oldest in Norway have largely been vaccinated, or will be vaccinated in the near future, continued use of the vaccine would mainly be for people under the age of 65. 

Bukholm says health officials did a risk analysis of continuing with AstraZeneca. 

“Since COVID has claimed few lives in Norway, the risk of dying by being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine will be greater than the risk of dying from the disease, especially for younger people.” 

Norway has suffered 707 corona deaths to date. 

In addition, Bukholm admits skepticism around AstraZeneca also played a role in the decision saying it is uncertain how many people getting vaccinated would have accepted AstraZeneca. 

The Norwegian National Institute of Public Health says people who have had a first dose of AstraZeneca will get a second dose of another vaccine. 

“We will return with specific information about when and how those who have received the first dose will receive the second dose. One dose provides good protection against COVID for at least 12 weeks.” 

The health institute estimates Norway’s vaccination schedule will be delayed by just two weeks due to dropping the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

It says about 200,000 AstraZeneca doses are sitting in Norwegian freezers at the moment and they will stay there “until it has been decided how they may be used.”