Norway extends AstraZeneca vaccine suspension for 3 weeks

Norway delays decision on resuming use of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as it investigates several cases of blood clots.

Norway will delay a decision on whether to resume the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine until April 15, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has said, amid continuing fears over blood clots. Authorities on March 11 suspended the rollout of the vaccine after a small number of younger inoculated people were hospitalised for a combination of blood clots, bleeding and a low count of platelets, some of whom later died. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to continue using the vaccine and said the benefits outweigh any potential risks. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also declared the shot “safe and effective”.