AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield and Vaxzevria have been withdrawn globally due to safety concerns, the pharmaceutical giant said on Tuesday. telegraph reported. However, the company said the move was due to a “surplus of newer vaccines available” since the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that this had led to “decreased demand” for the vaccine.
telegraph The report added that AstraZeneca’s application to withdraw the Vaxzervria vaccine was submitted on March 5 and became effective on May 7.
Meanwhile, the company also withdrew marketing authorization for the vaccine in Europe on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
AstraZeneca admits safety concerns
AstraZeneca’s latest move comes days after the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker admitted in a legal filing that its COVID-19 vaccine could cause blood clots, a condition called thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), in rare cases. A rare syndrome characterized by blood clots (thrombosis) and a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
However, it also noted that the syndrome can be detected even without vaccination, adding that expert testimony is needed to determine cause and effect in each case.
Still, the company maintains that extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence consistently support the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. It also reiterated that the company’s top priority is “patient safety.”
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has lost a loved one or reported a health concern. Patient safety is our top priority and regulators have clear and strict standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines,” an AstraZeneca spokesperson said in a statement last week.
Lawsuit against AstraZeneca
The pharmaceutical company has been filing a class-action lawsuit over its Covid-19 vaccine, which it says has caused multiple deaths around the world. The incident first occurred after a man named Jamie Scott filed a complaint against AstraZeneca, saying that he developed “blood clots and bleeding in the brain, resulting in severe brain damage” after receiving the vaccine.
In addition, more than 50 cases have been filed in court over the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Daily Telegraph reported earlier that AstraZeneca admitted in court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine Covishield may cause rare side effects. Covishield is developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
The Supreme Court will soon hear a petition regarding rare side effects related to Covishield. While the hearing date is yet to be fixed, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has admitted the petition asking an expert panel to look into the vaccine’s side effects.
(With information from Reuters)