The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is being withdrawn worldwide due to concerns over a rare and dangerous side effect. This development came months after the pharmaceutical giant admitted for the first time in court documents that the vaccine can cause a rare and dangerous side effect, The Telegraph reports.
This development was disclosed this in a statement by the vaccine producers on Tuesday, May 7.
The statement revealed that the vaccine can no longer be used in the European Union. This is after the company voluntarily withdrew its “marketing authorization”.
According to the report, the application for withdrawal was submitted on March 5 and took effect on Tuesday, May 7.
It also stated that similar applications will be made in the UK and other countries that had previously approved the vaccine, also known as Vaxzevria.
Recall that vaccine was heralded by Boris Johnson as a “triumph for British science” and credited with saving more than six million lives. But the decision to withdraw it brings to an end the use of the jab.
The manufacturer, AstraZeneca, however, disclosed that the vaccine was being removed from markets for commercial reasons.
The company also added that the vaccine was no longer being manufactured or supplied. It stated that the vaccine has been superseded by updated vaccines that tackle new variants.
The statement read, “We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone. And over three billion doses were supplied globally.
“Our efforts have been recognized by Governments around the world. And are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.
“As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has, therefore, taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria within Europe.
“We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Recall that in recent months, the Vaxzevria vaccine faced significant scrutiny. This is due to an extremely rare side effect involving blood clots and low blood platelet counts.
