Pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca decides to withdraw Covid-19 vaccine citing 'commercial reasons'

The company said the vaccine is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said the decision was made because there is now a variety of newer vaccines available that have been adapted to target Covid-19 variants. This had led to a decline in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied, reported The Guardian.

“According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over 3bn doses were supplied globally,” the statement said.

“Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic. 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.”

In India, the vaccine was widely given to people under the name of Covishield.

Developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, it was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw the vaccine just days after it confirmed in court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine can cause a rare side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

The vaccine has been admitted amid a class-action lawsuit claiming numerous deaths and injuries, with victims and their families seeking up to GBP 100 million (USD 124.8 million) in damages, UNI news agency reported earlier quoting the British newspaper.

According to Telegraph UK, The lawsuit was Initiated by Jamie Scott, a father of two, who suffered a permanent brain injury after developing a blood clot and a bleed on the brain following his vaccination in April 2021.

The legal battle has intensified, with 51 cases now lodged in the High Court, highlighting the devastating impact TTS has had on individuals and families.

The revelation raises concerns about vaccine safety and underscores the challenge of balancing public health concerns with potential vaccination risks.

What is thrombocytopenia syndrome?

According to Mayo Clinic website, Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are colourless blood cells that help blood clot.

Platelets stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries, the website said.