Norway’s COVID vaccine chief Are Stuwitz Berg dies at 53 after long illness

Are Stuwitz Berg, the senior physician who led Norway’s national COVID-19 vaccination campaign and spent decades advancing public health, has died at the age of 53 after a prolonged illness, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI).

Berg served as department director and chief physician at FHI, where he became a prominent figure during the pandemic. He was often seen on national television, calmly explaining the science behind vaccines and guiding Norway through one of its most challenging public health crises. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Though officials have not released a specific cause of death, his colleagues confirmed that he had been battling a serious illness for several months.

Leadership during crisis

During the pandemic, Berg oversaw the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines across Norway, including managing logistics, communicating with international health partners, and addressing public skepticism. He was widely recognized for his transparent approach and efforts to build trust in science.

Berg was known not only for his leadership during COVID-19 but also for his lifelong dedication to pediatric medicine. Earlier in his career, he worked in Oslo hospitals and spent time in Tanzania providing medical care to underserved communities.

Berg had previously acknowledged that vaccines, like any medical intervention, can carry rare side effects, particularly in younger populations, but he consistently stood by their overall safety and effectiveness.

Following his death, some online platforms have circulated unverified claims linking his passing to the COVID-19 vaccines he helped deploy. Norwegian authorities and mainstream media have not supported those claims. No medical or official sources have confirmed any link between Berg’s death and vaccination.