AstraZeneca has announced the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, citing a surplus of updated vaccines and commercial reasons, in a significant development. The decision comes shortly after the British pharmaceutical company admitted in court documents that its vaccine can cause a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), sparking concerns over its safety and effectiveness.
Stated Reason for Withdrawal
The withdrawal of the vaccine, developed in collaboration with Oxford University and produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), marks an important shift in the global vaccination landscape. AstraZeneca stated that the decision was driven by the availability of newer vaccines designed to target emerging variants of the virus, rendering the original vaccine practically obsolete.
The company clarified that the decision to withdraw the vaccine was not directly linked to the ongoing court case or its admission regarding TTS. Instead, AstraZeneca attributed the move to a decline in demand for Covishield amid the availability of updated vaccines. The withdrawal includes the voluntary suspension of marketing authorization in the European Union, which shall extend to other countries where the vaccine has been in use.
Legal Action Against AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca’s admission in court documents regarding the potential side effects of its vaccine has sparked legal challenges, with the company facing a £100 million lawsuit in the UK over allegations of deaths and injuries associated with Covishield. The rare side effect, TTS, which causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts, has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK, raising concerns among recipients and health authorities globally.
Legacy and Outlook
Despite these challenges, AstraZeneca emphasized the significant role its vaccine played in combating the global pandemic, saving over 6.5 million lives in the first year of use alone and supplying more than three billion doses globally. The company maintains that its commitment is to collaborate with regulators and partners to navigate the next steps in concluding its role in the fight against COVID-19.
While concerns over the safety of Covishield persist, health experts emphasize that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of rare adverse effects. Recent studies conducted in India (specifically, in Assam and Kerala) have provided positive data on Covishield’s safety profile, highlighting its effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19 effects and saving lives. Despite the rare occurrence of TTS, experts maintain that the vaccine’s overall positive impact in reducing hospitalizations and deaths far outweighs the minimal risk of adverse reactions.
As AstraZeneca initiates the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, attention turns to the future of vaccination and the role of updated vaccines in addressing evolving variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Comments 1