AstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine due to “surplus availability of updated vaccines” following the pandemic. The company’s request for the withdrawal of the vaccine was submitted on March 5th and took effect on May 7th, according to The Telegraph.
The pharmaceutical company had admitted, in court documents, that the vaccine causes side effects such as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which has been linked to more than 80 deaths in the UK and a low platelet count.
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome appeared in approximately two to three people per 100,000 vaccinated with the Vaxzevria vaccine.
However, AstraZeneca denies that the decision to withdraw the vaccine is related to the legal case, insisting instead that the vaccine is being withdrawn from markets for commercial reasons.
“According to independent reports, during the first year of its use alone, this vaccine saved 6.5 million lives, with a total of 3 billion doses delivered worldwide. Our efforts have been recognized by governments worldwide and widely regarded as crucial to ending the global pandemic. We will now work with legislators and our partners to achieve a clear closure of this chapter and its significant contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company’s statement said.
