AstraZeneca Initiates Global Withdrawal of COVID-19 Vaccine Due to Rare Side Effect
AstraZeneca Initiates Global Withdrawal of COVID-19 Vaccine Due to Rare Side Effect
AstraZeneca announced on Tuesday its decision to globally recall its COVID-19 vaccine, citing concerns over a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This move follows the company’s acknowledgment of the vaccine’s potential to cause blood clots and reduced blood platelet counts, as stated in legal documents.
The decision to withdraw the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, was attributed to an oversupply of updated vaccines amidst the ongoing pandemic. AstraZeneca highlighted a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, leading to its discontinuation in production and distribution.
The pharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, faces legal challenges alleging deaths and severe harm caused by the vaccine. A lawsuit has been filed against AstraZeneca, with claims of adverse reactions among vaccine recipients.
AstraZeneca’s collaboration with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to supply the vaccine, known as Covishield, to the Indian government, also comes under scrutiny amid the withdrawal decision.
Reports indicate that AstraZeneca submitted its application to withdraw the vaccine on March 5, with the withdrawal becoming effective on May 7. The company admitted in legal documents that the vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases, although the causal mechanism remains unknown.
In response to concerns raised, AstraZeneca emphasized its commitment to patient safety and highlighted the vaccine’s safety profile based on clinical trials and real-world data. Regulators worldwide have consistently affirmed the benefits of vaccination outweighing the risks of extremely rare potential side effects.
Despite the withdrawal decision, legal challenges persist, with affected individuals and their families pursuing compensation amounting to an estimated £100 million through fifty-one cases filed in the High Court. AstraZeneca extends sympathy to those affected while reaffirming its dedication to ensuring the safe use of medicines, including vaccines.
