Cambridge: Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine following concerns over a rare and potentially dangerous side effect, as reported by British Newspaper ‘The Telegraph’.
The decision to withdraw the vaccine comes after AstraZeneca acknowledged in court documents for the first time that the vaccine can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare condition characterized by blood clots and low blood platelet counts.
AstraZeneca stated that the withdrawal was due to commercial reasons and emphasized that the vaccine was no longer being manufactured or supplied, having been superseded by updated vaccines designed to combat new variants of the virus.
The application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, leading to its cessation in the European Union following the withdrawal of its “marketing authorisation.” Similar applications are expected to be submitted in the UK and other nations where the vaccine has been authorized.
In recent months, Vaxzevria has faced scrutiny over reports of very rare side effects associated with TTS. Court documents revealed that AstraZeneca admitted the vaccine’s potential to cause TTS in the High Court in February. This admission has prompted legal action from over 50 individuals and grieving families who have filed a lawsuit against the company.
AstraZeneca, however, maintains that the decision to withdraw the vaccine is unrelated to the legal case or the admission of potential side effects. The company asserted that the timing of the withdrawal is coincidental and attributed it to the availability of multiple updated COVID-19 vaccines, which have led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria.
In a statement to The Telegraph, AstraZeneca expressed pride in the role Vaxzevria played in combating the global pandemic, citing estimates that over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of its use and highlighting the supply of over three billion doses worldwide.
The company stated its commitment to working with regulators and partners to navigate the withdrawal process and reiterated its focus on patient safety. Despite the rare side effects, AstraZeneca underscored the overall safety and efficacy of the vaccine, citing extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence.
Regulatory agencies worldwide continue to assert that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of rare side effects, affirming the importance of vaccination in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
