AstraZeneca vaccine removed from the Norwegian coronavirus immunisation programme

Vaccination with the coronavirus vaccine Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca was suspended in Norway on 11 March 2021 following reports of rare, severe cases of low platelets, blood clots and haemorrhages after vaccination. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded that there is an association between these cases and the AstraZeneca vaccine. Blood clots, low platelet counts and haemorrhages are now described as a very serious and rare side effect in the product information. The EMA considers that the vaccine still has a positive benefit-risk ratio, but that the authorities in each country must assess the benefit-risk against the situation in their country.

Following a review and evaluation of available data and the situation in Norway, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health published a recommendation on 15 April that the AstraZeneca vaccine should be removed from the national immunisation programme. The Government decided on 10 May that the AstraZeneca vaccine will not be used in Norway and will be removed from the coronavirus immunisation programme.  

• Norwegian Institute of Public Health's recommendation about AstraZeneca vaccine
• The AstraZeneca vaccine will be removed from the COVID-19 vaccination programme (government.no)

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has provided information on further vaccination of those who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. One dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine provides good protection against COVID-19 for at least 12 weeks.

• Informasjon om dose to til de som har fått første dose med AstraZeneca-vaksine (in Norwegian)