– I think we can say that the strict measures now show an effect. There has been a steady decline in recent weeks, says assistant director of the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Espen Nakstad, to TV 2.
In recent weeks, infection rates in Norway have fallen, and the government eased last week on the strict, national measures that were implemented in March.
Nakstad adds, however, that it is still important to follow rules and restrictions to avoid a new outbreak of infection. Despite the fact that many elderly and vulnerable groups have now been vaccinated, the pressure on the health service has increased.
– There are very many in younger age groups who are also admitted to hospital, says the assistant director of the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Blood clot messages
If the infection rates remain low, the government will after two to three weeks consider moving on to the next step in the reopening process. Nakstad points out that the lower the infection rates at reopening, the lower the risk of a new outbreak of infection.
– Then you can afford to move on to the next step in the plan, says Nakstad.
Another important factor for the reopening of society is vaccination, and that a significant proportion of the population is eventually vaccinated. At the same time as it is clear that Norway will receive 1.2 million extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine, there is uncertainty associated with the Janssen vaccine.
The reason for the uncertainty is that it was reported similar side effects also for this the vaccine, as for The AstraZeneca vaccine. Six Janssen-vaccinated people in the United States developed a blood clot during the first 16 days after taking the vaccine. All were women between 18-48 years.
Similar to AstraZeneca
On Tuesday afternoon, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will hold a press conference where they will present an updated recommendation on the Janssen vaccine. It was first approved for use on March 11.
Steinar Madsen, medical director at the Norwegian Medicines Agency, says the decision will be very exciting. He believes that there will also be updated figures from the USA on the number of registered blood clot cases during the press conference.
– What is now being discussed is whether there are similarities between AstraZeneca and the Janssen vaccine, says Madsen.
– The pandemic is running wild
The director is excited about the outcome of today’s press conference, and emphasizes the need for more vaccine doses, especially in countries where the pandemic is out of control.
– In some countries, the pandemic is running wild, and the need for vaccines is greater than ever. For every new vaccine that comes, there will be greater production capacity, and the situation will be better, says Madsen.
The press conference from EMA is currently scheduled for 17.00 on Tuesday.
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