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Norwegian Nurse Sues State, Claiming AstraZeneca Vaccine Caused Chronic fatigue Syndrome
A 28-year-old woman is pursuing legal action against the norwegian state, alleging that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine triggered debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome. The case, currently underway in Oslo District Court, highlights the ongoing debate surrounding potential long-term side effects of the widely administered vaccine.
During the height of the pandemic, approximately 85 percent of the Norwegian population over the age of 18 received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine between 2021 and 2023, according to the Institute of Public Health (FHI). While the vaccines were largely credited wiht mitigating the severity of the virus, reports of adverse reactions have continued to surface.
The plaintiff, a 23-year-old nurse at the time of vaccination in March 2021, experienced severe side effects just days after receiving the AstraZeneca shot. Her lawyer, Kjell Inge Ambjørndalen, described her condition as leaving her barely able to perform simple tasks. “Relaxed, tired, stomach aches. She coudl barely get up to butter a slice of bread,” Ambjørndalen stated in court.
The woman’s health has not improved in the years since, and she now suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. “The situation is now in 2025 the same as in 2021. She has muscle pain,” Ambjørndalen explained. Over 140,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were administered in Norway before its discontinuation in May 2021, and Ambjørndalen noted that numerous individuals, both within Norway and internationally, have reported similar health problems. He also referenced reports of four deaths in Norway linked to serious side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Ambjørndalen presented research suggesting a connection between COVID-19 vaccines and the advancement of chronic fatigue syndrome, stating, “There is an ocean of research here.”
However, the state’s lawyer, Anders Wyller, countered that there is insufficient scientific evidence to establish a causal link. “Several billion vaccines have been administered worldwide against covid-19, and close to 14,000,000 vaccine doses in Norway. The state states that, as of today, there is no medical knowledge that establishes a practical possibility that the covid-19 vaccines can cause the development of chronic fatigue (CFS/ME),” Wyller wrote in a court filing. He argued that the plaintiff’s burden of proof was too high and that experts disagree on the causal relationship. Wyller also emphasized that the state does not recognise ME as a direct consequence of the vaccine.
The state’s case relies heavily on research into the efficacy and safety of the coronavirus vaccines. Wyller pointed to studies demonstrating the vaccines’ protective effects against long-term symptoms like “long COVID.” He further stated, “The causal mechanisms behind ME are unknown. There is a lack of a biological explanatory model that shows that the vaccine can be the cause of CFS/ME.” Several doctors and professors are expected to testify during the four-day trial.
The plaintiff, who wishes to remain anonymous, had no prior history of illness before receiving the vaccine. She is now seeking compensation for the damages caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine and reimbursement for legal costs through the Patient Compensation Board. Ambjørndalen detailed how her life has been drastically altered, forcing her to rely on work verification allowance (AAP).
wyller underscored the importance of rigorous research into the coronavirus vaccines, stating, “It is indeed central to this case.” He highlighted existing documentation supporting the vaccines’ effectiveness in preventing severe illness and long-term complications.
The outcome of this case could have important implications for future vaccine injury claims and the ongoing assessment of COVID-19 vaccine safety.
