Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A firefighters gets vaccinated in Nimes, south of France, on 19 January. Aventurier Patrick/ABACA/PA Images

No deaths in Europe directly linked to Covid vaccine, experts say

Health agencies say the vast majority of post-vaccination fatalities were among people who were elderly and already vulnerable.

DESPITE DOZENS OF deaths of people shortly after they were vaccinated against coronavirus, scientists say the evidence available so far does not incriminate the new anti-Covid vaccines.

Health agencies say the vast majority of post-vaccination fatalities were among people who were elderly, already vulnerable and often sick.

Norway sparked alarm last week when it reported the deaths of 33 of some 20,000 retirement home residents who had received a first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

At least 13 of the fatalities were not only very elderly but also considered frail with serious ailments, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said.

While it noted that no analysis had yet been carried out on the causes of the deaths, it suggested that with the aged and vulnerable the normal side effects of vaccination such as fever or nausea could have contributed.

Outside Norway the news raised widespread concern and fed anti-vaccine scepticism, prompting the authorities to stress that no link had been established between the vaccine and post-jab deaths.

In France, of 800,000 people vaccinated, nine deaths of chronically ill residents of care and retirement homes were recorded by Friday.

The national medicines agency ANSM said, based on available evidence: “Nothing leads to the conclusion that the reported deaths were linked to vaccination.”

Other examples include 13 deaths of elderly people recorded in Sweden and seven in Iceland, all with no link established.

In Portugal, a care worker died two days after being inoculated but the justice ministry said a post-mortem found no direct link.

France’s interior ministry on 18 January listed 71 “observations of death” in Europe of people who had the inoculation, but offered no further details.

Continued monitoring 

The European Medicines Agency said that despite the deaths, “to date no specific concerns have been identified with Comirnaty”, the commercial name for the Pfizer shot.

The EMA noted that the authorities investigate fatalities to determine whether the vaccine was responsible.

National and European agencies check any problems with vaccinations reported by health professionals, pharmaceutical firms and patients themselves.

For the moment, the number and type of deaths among those vaccinated are not considered abnormal, with no cause-and-effect relationship identified.

In many countries — such as France, Norway, Britain and Spain — the frail and elderly are first in line for vaccinations.

“It is not unexpected that some of these people may naturally fall ill due to their age or underlying conditions shortly after being vaccinated, without the vaccine playing any role in that,” the UK medicines regulator MHRA said.

Transparency, reassurance 

The deaths are a highly sensitive issue, and approaches to informing the public vary.

France and some Nordic countries have reported post-vaccination deaths and detailed the potential side effects of the jabs even if no link has been established.

But Britain’s MHRA said it would make a statement at a later date, possibly seeking to avoid spreading alarm.

“We will publish details of all suspected reactions reported in association with approved Covid-19 vaccines, along with our assessment of the data on a regular basis in the future,” it said.

In any event, European health officials say the deaths do not call into question the safety of the vaccines.

Norway has not changed its vaccination rollout, even if it has recommended doctors consider the overall health of the most frail before giving them the jab, the policy of numerous other countries.

Globally, more than 60 million doses have been received in at least 64 countries or territories, according to an AFP tally yesterday.

© AFP 2021

Author
View 34 comments
Close
34 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute artur filip
    Favourite artur filip
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:01 PM

    Vast majority of post-vaccination fatalities were among people who were elderly and already vulnerable so same with the actual virus though.

    223
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Devine
    Favourite Mark Devine
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 7:54 PM

    @artur filip: Exactly but it was covid in question and not the vaccine, then it would be death from covid end-of, even if old, frail, pre-existing conditions etc. Not anti-vax but just noting the double standards.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Morris Doolan
    Favourite Ann Morris Doolan
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:07 PM

    Well the obviously hadn’t done any studies on this cohort of people when they didn’t know before giving it to them.

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jedd Comiskey
    Favourite Jedd Comiskey
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:23 PM

    Should have given it younger adults first anyway so we can get back to normal quicker. I think Italy are taking that approach.

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KSham
    Favourite KSham
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:07 PM

    @Jedd Comiskey: yeah! *u*k the vulnerable!!!

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Clancy
    Favourite Brian Clancy
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:10 PM

    @Jedd Comiskey: makes no sense in any way, shape, or form. With the proportion of young people that develop serious symptoms so low what is the vaccine going to do for them

    62
    See 13 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:17 PM

    @Brian Clancy: True but they can “carry” the virus and be asymptomatic but spread it to older more vulnerable people.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
    Favourite Thomas O' Donnell
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:32 PM

    @Brian Clancy: Two things. The newer variants are causing more illness in younger age groups. Younger people are moving around more so vaccinating them will have a greater effect on the spread of the virus. Difficult to know which is the better approach.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ForrestG45
    Favourite ForrestG45
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:03 PM

    @Jedd Comiskey: fake news… Italy are not taking the approach you are recommending.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Critical Thinker
    Favourite Critical Thinker
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:05 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: Pfizer vaccine doesn’t stop transmission. It mitigated symptoms

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jedd Comiskey
    Favourite Jedd Comiskey
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:25 PM

    @ForrestG45: you’re right, thanks. They are prioritizing healthcare workers ahead of elderly though.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jedd Comiskey
    Favourite Jedd Comiskey
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:28 PM

    @Brian Clancy: makes sense… it’s a choice… merit in both … found one…. Indonesia…. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/indonesia-vaccinating-working-population-before-elderly/

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:33 PM

    @Critical Thinker: It kills the virus or the potential of the virus developing within the person who is vaccinated against it, here is a useful link that will explain it better for you:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/explained-a-visual-guide-to-how-the-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-works-1.4436433

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McAuliffe
    Favourite Dave McAuliffe
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:54 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: people who are vaccinated can still carry, and spread, it on their hands etc

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 3:07 PM

    @Dave McAuliffe: If we are all vaccinated it sharply lessens the chances of that happening, of course we must also continue to practise hand hygiene, use PPE etc. even after being vaccinated.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ulick Magee
    Favourite Ulick Magee
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 3:28 PM

    @Jedd Comiskey: selfish young pirck..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jedd Comiskey
    Favourite Jedd Comiskey
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 4:12 PM

    @Ulick Magee: it’s just an opinion. No need to get personal esp. hiding behind a fake childish name. C u next time…

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian McNamara
    Favourite Brian McNamara
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 6:39 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: right, and vaccinating them doesn’t stop them catching or spreading the virus.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lotta Rossler
    Favourite Lotta Rossler
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 7:32 PM

    @Critical Thinker: that’s what they initially thought but there’s been a brandnew study which concluded it actually reduces risk of transmission, only read about it start of the week. Have no link unfortunately, but goofle it, should come up straight away..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gordon Larney
    Favourite Gordon Larney
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:26 PM

    Wait, you mean the stuff I was reading on the inter web about all the people dying from the vaccine isn’t true??? Next you will be telling me that this pandemic isn’t all a huge conspiracy to control humanity by big pharma and a couple of billionaires,, and ehh, a few million health car workers. Blah blah blah…

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred the Muss...
    Favourite Fred the Muss...
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:03 PM

    Give it a few minutes and the internet experts will be here in their droves.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SquintEastwood
    Favourite SquintEastwood
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:14 PM

    @Fred the Muss…: mr expert in human behaviour

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute artur filip
    Favourite artur filip
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 12:26 PM

    @SquintEastwood: He is like Sigmund Freud with one of his theories…:)

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Ruddy
    Favourite Mike Ruddy
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:41 PM

    Every noticed how many experts say this and say that but they aren’t willing to risk putting their name behind it? Accountability and Transparency seem to be words missing from present day life. Stick your name behind your expertise, otherwise how can you be considered to be credible?

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Concerned Citizen
    Favourite Concerned Citizen
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 1:56 PM

    One can be hopeful that the vaccine will work while still having reservations about how new it is, and potential risks associated with the large roll out of a new and not fully tested drug. The notion that anyone with a concern about it is some sort of “antivax maniac” is wrong and should be addressed better.
    The good news is that nobody will be forced to take it, each adult human will make a choice for themselves. Our body our choice, to echo a phrase that was doing the rounds a couple of years ago.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Creagh
    Favourite Michael Creagh
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 11:27 AM

    @Concerned Citizen: should be mandatory,give people the opportunity to think for themselves nowadays and everything goes pearshaped.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Will
    Favourite Will
    Report
    Jan 25th 2021, 1:00 PM

    @Michael Creagh: Vaccines should never be mandatory. We all have autonomy when it comes to our bodies. That doesn’t change just because there’s a virus doing the rounds.
    Sell or promote the vaccine on it’s merits and let people decide for themselves.

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Concerned Citizen
    Favourite Concerned Citizen
    Report
    Jan 26th 2021, 2:13 PM

    @Michael Creagh: no thanks. I decide what goes in my body, as should everyone. Our bodies our choices. Consult the Repael the 8th campaigners for more on this if it’s difficult for you.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
    Favourite Lydia McLoughlin
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 2:37 PM

    They’ll be far slower to link a death due to the vaccine than they are due to Covid! Very few if any deaths due to flu too…

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NotMyIreland
    Favourite NotMyIreland
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 4:01 PM

    @Lydia McLoughlin: How would there be flu deaths when flu is not circulating in the community?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
    Favourite Lydia McLoughlin
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 9:58 PM

    @NotMyIreland: not according to the experts anyway …no such thing as flu symptoms!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ainm
    Favourite Ainm
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 4:45 PM

    Interesting how if you say that “the vast majority of virus deaths are people who are already old and vulnerable” you’re a horrible person. But if you say the same about the vaccine it’s grand.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Carroll
    Favourite Darren Carroll
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 8:05 PM

    So if its not directly linked so it must be indirectly linked

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Hayes
    Favourite Kieran Hayes
    Report
    Jan 24th 2021, 7:10 PM

    The first paragraph….

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel