LONDON: Renowned pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced the withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria globally after acknowledging vaccine’s “rare and dangerous side effect,” The Telegraph reported.
The decision comes months after the company acknowledged the vaccine’s link to a condition known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).
According to a report by The Telegraph, the vaccine has been under scrutiny due to instances of blood clots and low blood platelet counts observed in some recipients. This rare side effect has raised alarms, leading to legal action against the company by victims and relatives of those who suffered adverse reactions.
The withdrawal of Vaxzevria comes amidst mounting concerns, with at least 81 deaths in the UK reportedly linked to the vaccine. AstraZeneca has faced criticism and legal challenges over its handling of the situation, with demands for greater transparency and accountability.
AstraZeneca attributed the decision to withdraw the vaccine to a “fall in demand” as alternative COVID-19 vaccines have become available. The company noted that the surplus of updated vaccines has led to decreased demand for Vaxzevria, prompting its discontinuation from manufacturing and supply chains.
Furthermore, AstraZeneca has initiated the process of withdrawing Vaxzevria’s marketing authorizations across Europe. The application for withdrawal was submitted on March 5 and took effect on May 7, as reported by The Telegraph.
The withdrawal of the COVID-19 vaccine marks a significant shift for AstraZeneca, which had been a key player in the global vaccination effort. Despite the setback, the company highlighted the impact of its vaccine, noting that over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone, with over 3 billion doses supplied worldwide.
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine had received approval for use in various countries, including Pakistan, where it was deployed as part of the government’s efforts to combat the spread of the virus. The vaccine utilizes a modified virus to deliver genetic material for producing a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
