Australia is investigating reports Norwegian authorities are concerned about the safety of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after a number of elderly people died after being inoculated.
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The Norwegian Medicines Agency has reported 29 people had suffered side effects from having the vaccine, 13 of them fatal.
"We have immediately sought and I have been in contact with the Australian medical regulator ... this morning, and requested that they seek additional information, both from the company, but also from the Norwegian medical regulator," Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has also tasked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to seek advice directly from the Norwegian government.
"So as further information is available, we'll share that with the Australian public," Mr Hunt said.
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The Pfizer vaccine forms only part of Australia's response to COVID-19, as there will be a greater use of the AstraZeneca, and home produced, vaccine once it has been approved.
Vaccinations are due to start next month.
On a more positive note, Mr Hunt said there are no remaining coronavirus hotspots in Australia.
"What this shows is that we are containing the virus," Mr Hunt said.
"Of course, inevitably, there will be days of new cases. There will be days where there may be a requirement for Commonwealth hotspot definition to be re- introduced."
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NSW health authorities have issued public health alerts for a western Sydney venue and additional public transport routes following confirmed cases of COVID-19.
One local case of COVID-19 infection was reported on Saturday, a western Sydney man believed to be linked to the Berala bottle shop cluster.
It came after days without a locally transmitted infection.
Queensland reported no new locally acquired cases on Sunday.
Preparations for the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne has been thrown into disarray for some players with 47 having been sent into quarantine and unable to train each day as planned after arriving on a plane from Los Angeles with two positive cases on board.
Meanwhile, the federal government has thrown a lifeline to some of the 37,000 Australians overseas wanting to return to their home country.
The government has announced 20 more chartered flights will now be available and won't be subject to incoming traveller caps.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham announced the plan on Saturday to get more stranded Australians home on flights running between January 31 and March 31.
It came after a decision by major airline Emirates to suspend its services to the east coast.
The government-facilitated flights will quarantine at Howard Springs and in states and territories willing to work above the current caps on a case-by-case basis, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said.
The government-chartered flights will complement commercial services which are still the main avenue for returning Australians.
AAP
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