Adverse reaction reports summarise all reports of suspected adverse reactions that we have assessed. Events following vaccination are reported on the basis of suspicions, which means that there is not necessarily any causal relationship. The challenge is to distinguish symptoms and medical conditions which occur randomly from those which could be linked to vaccination.
All reports are included in the report, regardless of whether or not the event is believed to be linked to vaccination.
Reports of serious events are assessed first. The figures therefore do not give a true picture of the distribution between serious and non-serious events.
The number of COVID-19 vaccines being administered is falling, as is the number of adverse reaction reports being submitted. From next week, we will therefore be publishing the adverse reaction news fortnightly. The monitoring of adverse reactions is continuing as normal.
Click here to see an overview of reports of suspected adverse reactions (the adverse reactions report)
Young people and adverse reactions
16- and 17-year-olds are now being offered a second Comirnaty dose. Young people tend to experience a stronger immune response following vaccination than older people. They can therefore expect to experience some of the common adverse reactions following vaccination, particularly after the second dose. Common adverse reactions are pain around the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and nausea/diarrhoea. These adverse reactions normally occur 1-2 days after vaccination.
Amongst the more rarely known adverse reactions are inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and inflammation of the heart lining (pericarditis). Persons of all ages have been affected, but most cases have occurred in men under the age of 30. Symptoms of heart inflammation include chest pain, wheezing or rapid/irregular heart rate. Fever and cough may also occur. In the event of such symptoms, a doctor must be consulted and the young person examined. Of those affected, most symptoms become apparent 1-2 weeks after vaccination.
Contact a health professional, such as a public health nurse or a doctor, for an assessment and advice if a child or adolescent is experiencing troublesome adverse reactions or if the symptoms do not pass.
Find out more about:
- Young people and adverse reactions
Reports of menstrual disorders
We are still receiving many reports of menstrual disorders and unexpected abdominal bleeding following vaccination. We have so far assessed 1,264 reports of menstrual disorders and 97 reports of vaginal bleeding after menopausal age (post-menopausal bleeding).
- The Norwegian Medicines Agency is investigating these reports. Since June, we have released information about this issue, set up a thematic page and pursued a close dialogue with Norwegian experts and the European medicines authorities. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has conducted cohort studies in an attempt to determine whether or not there is a link between COVID-19 vaccines and bleeding disorders. We are now waiting for results of this work," says Sigurd Hortemo, Senior Consultant at the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
Find out more about:
Report adverse reactions on behalf of children
Children under 16: Parents and guardians can report adverse reactions on behalf of their children.
Children over 16: Young people over the age of 16 can report adverse reactions themselves, but they will need an electronic ID, such as Bank-ID. Parents can report adverse reactions if a power of attorney has been set up. Power of attorney can be set up digitally at helsenorge.no.
Find out more about representing other people at helsenorge.no.
How to report adverse reactions
Click here for a link to the report form and more information on how to report adverse reactions
Please remember to include the following information when reporting adverse reactions:
- name of the vaccine and date of vaccination
- detailed description of the sequence of events
- when the adverse reaction first started
- whether the reaction is persistent or has passed
- other current medical conditions and medication
- if/when a COVID-19 test has been taken, and the result
- the dose after which the adverse reaction occurred
- whether a different type of vaccine was given as subsequent doses
- the results of any blood tests or other medical investigations
whether a doctor has been contacted (for those submitting a “patient report" via helsenorge.no)
It is particularly important to report reactions where any of the following are suspected:
- adverse reactions not referred to in the patient information leaflet
- unexpected adverse reactions
- serious adverse reactions
- vaccine failure (severe COVID-19 following full vaccination)
Health professionals are obliged to report serious, new and unexpected reactions which they suspect may be caused by a vaccine.
