Australian health officials are closely monitoring the Pfizer vaccine after reports 29 aged care residents died after 40,000 people received the COVID-19 jab in Norway.
The deaths were reportedly associated with fever, nausea and diarrhoea, common side effects after receiving a vaccination.
Professor Paul Kelly, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, said they were waiting to see what Norway uncovered, but noted 400 people die in Norwegian aged care homes every week.
“This has to be put in the context of what has happened after people have received vaccines,” Professor Kelly said.
“That needs to be looked at very carefully, and that TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) will take that information into account in their assessment in the coming days and weeks.”
Professor Kelly said Australia could afford to wait for a full assessment of all COVID vaccines, including the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Moderna vaccine.
