The reports do not contain any information which suggests that the current recommendations regarding use of the COVID-19 vaccines in Norway should be revised.
Click here to go to the page with weekly reports of suspected adverse reactions
Most of the reports concern common adverse reactions, such as pain at the injection site, general malaise with fever, fatigue, nausea and pain in the body. These usually appear on the first or second day after vaccination and last around 2-3 days. For the mRNA vaccines, it is also common for the reactions to become stronger with the second dose.
Watch your blood sugar level!
There have been five cases where people with diabetes have developed higher blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) after being vaccinated with Comirnaty. Infectious diseases and fever are known to increase the risk of unstable blood sugar levels. It is possible that the common adverse reactions following vaccination, such as fever and nausea, could affect blood sugar levels.
Deaths
A total of 93 reports have so far been assessed concerning deaths following vaccination relating to elderly people in need of nursing care, most of whom were nursing home residents. The average age was over 87 years. Many of those who have been vaccinated in this group are very frail. It is therefore to be expected that deaths will occur soon after vaccination, without there necessarily being any causal link to the vaccine.
Low threshold for reporting
Healthcare professionals are obliged to report suspected new, unexpected and serious adverse reactions. Staffing levels at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) have been strengthened, and the regional medicinal information centres (RELIS) are assisting NIPH in the assessment of reports, enabling them to be assessed more rapidly.
The general population can report adverse reactions via helsenorge.no, but you should consult a doctor or other healthcare professional in the case of suspected serious or unexpected adverse reactions following vaccination.
International cooperation
Reports of adverse reactions following vaccination are followed up by the Norwegian Medicines Agency in partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the regional medicines information and pharmacovigilance centres (RELIS). The Norwegian Medicines Agency is responsible for the Norwegian ADR Registry, and exchanges adverse reaction data with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This provides us with a better basis for assessing causation and implementing measures to safeguard patient safety.
