AstraZeneca announced on Tuesday that it had begun the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, citing a "surplus of available updated vaccines" options now available since the pandemic. Additionally, the company stated its intention to revoke the marketing authorisations for the vaccine Vaxzevria across Europe.
"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
According to the media, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side effects. The document acknowledges that the vaccine "can, in very rare cases, cause TTS." This rare but severe condition involves the formation of blood clots (thrombosis) alongside a decrease in platelet levels (thrombocytopenia). These blood clots may occur in different areas of the body, such as the brain and abdomen.
"It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known...Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence," AstraZeneca said.
AstraZeneca, in response to Jamie Scott's claim, acknowledged the possibility of a rare side effect linked to its COVID-19 vaccine. This stance contradicted the company's earlier position in 2023 when it had refuted any connection between the vaccine and TTS on a broad scale.
The firm's application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the development.
London-listed AstraZeneca began moving into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs through several deals last year after a slowdown in growth as COVID-19 medicine sales declined. They partnered with the Serum Institute of India (SII), the largest vaccine manufacturer globally, to provide the vaccine to the Indian Government.
(with REUTERS inputs)
