Iceland limits Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine to age 60 and above - October 10, 2021

[Emily]

https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/frettir/frett/item47717/Notkun-COVID-19-boluefnis-Moderna-a-Islandi

[sharon sanders]

COVID-19 in Iceland: Moderna Vaccine Used for 60+

• Jelena Ćirić
• October 13, 2021
• Society, x News

Iceland’s Chief Epidemiologist announced yesterday that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will only be used for booster shots among those 60 and older. Health authorities in Iceland temporarily suspended use of the Moderna vaccine on October 8, 2021 after data from Nordic countries showed an increased likelihood of cardiac inflammation as a side effect of the drug. The Chief Epidemiologist stated that the decision would be reviewed if new data emerges suggesting the vaccine is safe for younger demographics.

“Unpublished data from the Nordic countries indicate that the risk of cardiac inflammation after vaccination against COVID-19 is much higher among 18 to 39-year-olds if the Moderna vaccine is used than after vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine.” the announcement reads. “Cardiac inflammation after vaccination is much less common among older demographics. It should be noted that the use of the Moderna vaccine in 12 to 17-year-olds is much lower than the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Europe and no comparison of the safety of the vaccines in that age group has been made in this study.”

more....

https://www.icelandreview.com/society/covid-19-in-iceland-moderna-vaccine-used-for-60/

[sharon sanders]

Government updated two days after above announcement


12.10.21
Continued use of the COVID-19 vaccine Moderna in Iceland

Unpublished data from the Nordic countries indicate that the risk of myocarditis after vaccination against COVID-19 is much higher if the Moderna vaccine is used for 18-39 year olds than after vaccination with a Pfizer vaccine. Myocarditis is much less common after vaccinations in older age groups. It should be noted that the use of the Moderna vaccine in 12–17 year olds is much lower than the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Europe and no comparison of the safety of the vaccines in that age group has been made in this study.
In Iceland, Moderna is now almost exclusively used in booster vaccinations and its use will be limited to booster vaccines 60 years and older for the time being. If information is available on its safe use in younger individuals, eg with dose reduction, this decision will be reviewed.
Younger individuals who have received a single dose of Moderna will be invited to complete vaccination with a gender-specific Pfizer vaccine. Men aged 18–39 are advised against receiving Moderna vaccines in this case.

https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaet...erna-a-islandi

[Emily]

Thanks for updating, Sharon. I thought that was the latest. Here in the US I think the Moderna dose for boosters will be 1/2 the original.

[sharon sanders]

Please see:

Finland, Denmark, Sweden suspends Moderna vaccine for those 30 and under