* Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2VB16pd
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By Gwladys Fouche and Victoria Klesty
OSLO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Norway plans to use the three
vaccines developed by Moderna, AstraZeneca,
Pfizer and BioNTech in its first push to
inoculate its population against COVID-19, the country's health
minister said on Friday.
In the first quarter of 2021, Oslo expects to receive a
total of 2.5 million doses, covering 1.25 million people,
pending approval of the vaccines from European regulators.
Norway's population is 5.4 million.
Non-EU Norway will get access to some of the vaccines
obtained by the European Union thanks to Sweden, an EU member
that will buy more than it needs and sell them to Norway, right
after New Year.
"By Easter, we could be in a completely different situation
than today," Health Minister Bente Hoeie told a news conference.
The timeline in Norway is speedier than earlier announced.
In October, Prime Minister Erna Solberg had said she expected
vaccinations to start in the first half of next year.
Countries worldwide are trying to vaccinate as quickly as
possible, as vaccines supplies become available, and decide
which population groups should get it first.
Britain on Wednesday became the first nation in the Western
world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, the one developed by Pfizer
and BioNTech.
(Editing by Terje Solsvik)