In Norway, at least 29 people have been announced dead after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, raising alarm about its effects on elderly people who are vulnerable to having such virus.

It was reported that Norway has given at least one dose of the vaccine to about 42,000 people, rolling out the shots to those who are considered most at risk such as the elderly ones if they contract the coronavirus.

 The Norwegian Medicines Agency (NMA) said in a written statement that “All deaths are thus linked to this vaccine,” as the vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech was the only one available in Norway.

The agency added that “There are 13 deaths that have been assessed, and we are aware of another 16 deaths that are currently being assessed, all the reported deaths are related to elderly people with serious basic disorders”.

 “Most people have experienced the expected side effects of the vaccine, such as nausea and vomiting, fever, local reactions at the injection site and worsening of their underlying condition.

“For those with the most severe frailty, even relatively mild vaccine side effects can have serious consequences. For those who have a very short remaining life span anyway, the benefit of the vaccine may be marginal or irrelevant,” the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said.

Norway’s Medicines Agency added that “We are aware that deaths have also been reported in other countries, but do not have full details of this yet.

 “There are also differences between countries in who is prioritised for vaccination, and this could also affect the reporting of side effects, including death.”