AstraZeneca has taken the decision to withdraw its Covid-19 vaccine globally, following concerns regarding rare but serious side effects. The British-Swedish pharmaceutical company has already halted the marketing of its vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, in the EU as of 2021. This decision was influenced by the availability of newer vaccines better suited to combat evolving coronavirus variants.
The withdrawal process began on 5 March and was officially enforced on 7 May. AstraZeneca acknowledged that the demand for Vaxzevria had dwindled due to the emergence of more updated vaccine options. These newer vaccines have proven to be more effective against the ever-changing virus.
Recent developments have revealed that AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine, produced in collaboration with Oxford University, may lead to rare side effects such as blood clots and decreased blood platelet counts. Despite initial claims to the contrary, the company has now accepted the potential risks associated with their vaccine.
In response to a class action lawsuit filed in the UK, AstraZeneca admitted in court documents that their vaccine could, in very rare cases, cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). This condition involves the formation of blood clots and low blood platelet levels, which can be life-threatening.
Despite the setbacks, AstraZeneca remains proud of the role Vaxzevria played in the global pandemic response. Independent estimates suggest that millions of lives were saved in the first year of vaccine distribution, with billions of doses administered worldwide. However, the company’s decision to withdraw the vaccine underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and efficacy in vaccine development and deployment.
NOTE: This article was inspired by content originally published by The Independent and shared on Newsbreak.
