‘I am glad that the vaccines we have in stock will be useful even if the AstraZeneca vaccine is paused in Norway,’ explained the Minister of Health and Care Services, Bent Hoie.

Last month, Norwegian authorities paused the use of the vaccine after several deaths due to blood clots and low platelet counts were reported in patients who were previously immunized.

Hoie said that in case of resuming AstraZeneca’s use in the country, the borrowed doses will be returned immediately and if not, they can be donated to other nations, in collaboration with the European Union (EU).

Sweden will borrow 200,000 doses, and Iceland will get the rest. The latter is using the immunogen in patients over 60 years of age.

The Norwegian Government set up a committee of experts to study the consequences of the use of the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The deadline for submitting its opinion is May 10.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is considering taking the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company to court in Belgium for a breach of contract in terms of non-compliance with the promised doses.

However, Germany, France and Denmark were reluctant to the idea and recommended that the case be further studied before taking legal action.

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