AstraZeneca has initiated a global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to an excess of updated doses for new variants. This decision comes months after the company acknowledged the rare risk of serious side effects associated with its vaccine, including blood clots and low platelet counts.
The pharmaceutical company’s vaccine, Vaxzevria, is no longer authorized in the European Union as of May 7. AstraZeneca requested the withdrawal of its marketing authorization on March 5, citing an oversupply of updated vaccines targeting new virus variants. This move follows the company’s admission in a UK court document that its vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause blood clots and low platelets, a condition known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TSS).
Although the admission of the vaccine’s risks was not cited as a factor in the withdrawal decision, AstraZeneca emphasized the availability of updated vaccines and the decline in demand for Vaxzevria as reasons for the withdrawal. The company expressed pride in the role Vaxzevria played in combating the pandemic and highlighted the significant number of lives saved and doses supplied globally.
The removal of Vaxzevria’s authorization in Europe follows a similar decision in Australia, where the vaccine was removed from the register of therapeutic goods. This action was attributed to a lack of current or anticipated demand for the vaccine and changing immunization recommendations based on evidence of associated side effects.
The admission of the vaccine’s rare risks came to light through a class action legal battle in the UK, involving claims of injuries and deaths allegedly caused by AstraZeneca’s vaccine. While the company has denied the claims, it has acknowledged the risk of TSS. If found liable, UK taxpayers may be responsible for any settlement in the case.
AstraZeneca’s vaccine, a viral vector-based formula, was initially authorized for use in the EU in January 2021. Despite being generally considered safe and effective, rare side effects like TSS have been reported in a small percentage of vaccinated individuals. The vaccine does not contain the COVID-19 virus itself but is based on a modified adenovirus carrying the gene for a protein from SARS-CoV-2.
Research has suggested that viral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines may pose a slightly higher risk of certain side effects compared to mRNA-based vaccines. AstraZeneca has been contacted for comment on these developments. Please rewrite this text.
Source link
