Amid ongoing safety concerns, global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced the withdrawal of its Vaxzevria Covid vaccine worldwide. The Telegraph reported that the company’s application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and took effect on May 7.
According to AstraZeneca, the decision is driven by the availability of an ample supply of updated vaccines following the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a decline in demand for the Vaxzevria vaccine.
This announcement comes shortly after AstraZeneca acknowledged in a legal document that its Covid vaccines may cause Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) – a rare syndrome characterized by blood clots and low platelet counts. However, the company emphasized that TTS can be detected and does not necessarily indicate causation from vaccination, and that further expert testimony is required to determine causality in each case.
Despite the safety concerns, AstraZeneca maintains that extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence consistently support the safety and efficacy of its vaccines. Patient safety remains the company’s top priority, as stated by a company spokesperson last week.
AstraZeneca has been embroiled in a class action lawsuit related to alleged adverse events associated with its Covid-19 vaccines, including reports of deaths. Additionally, over 50 cases have been filed in court against the company over its vaccine effects.
In India, the Supreme Court is set to hear a petition regarding rare side effects associated with Covishield, the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The petition demands the formation of an expert panel to investigate the vaccine’s side effects.
