AstraZeneca withdraws the covid-19 vaccine from the market

In December 2020, the vaccine became the second Covid-19 vaccine approved for use in the UK and was hailed as a “triumph for British science” by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Vaccine makers agreed that it could be manufactured “on a non-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic worldwide and in perpetuity in low- and middle-income countries.”

Our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are widely considered a critical component in ending the global pandemic.

Billions of doses were created and made available in 183 countries.

Estimates suggest that the vaccine rollout saved 6.3 million lives worldwide.

But AstraZeneca said the rise of new variants of the virus that causes Covid-19 has shifted market demand toward newer vaccines aimed at tackling these variants.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, more than 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and more than three billion doses were delivered worldwide.

“Our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are widely considered a critical component in ending the global pandemic.

“As multiple variants of Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of updated vaccines available. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer manufactured or supplied. For this reason, AstraZeneca has made the decision to begin the withdrawal of marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria in Europe.

“We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and a significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

It has been an excellent and vital vaccine, a key part of the pandemic response for most countries in the world.

AstraZeneca has faced a number of vaccine injury claims related to the vaccine.

On April 7, 2021, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued updated information on the “possible risk of specific types of blood clots that are extremely rare and unlikely to occur” after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine. .

The regulator said the benefits of vaccination “continue to outweigh any risks” but recommended “that special attention be paid to people who are at increased risk of specific types of blood clots due to their medical condition.”

Last year, lawyers representing father-of-two Jamie Scott told the High Court he had suffered a brain injury after receiving the vaccine.

Commenting on the withdrawal, Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: “It has been an excellent and vital vaccine, a key part of the pandemic response for most countries in the world. world.

“There would have been many more deaths, hospitalizations, illnesses and transmission if we had not had the AstraZeneca vaccine, along with other key vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna.

“There are known adverse events, such as blood clots, but they are rare and the safety profile is generally very good. In comparison, the accepted rate of blood clots is much higher for prescription medications in women’s health areas, such as the combined pill.

“The key reason for the withdrawal is likely that other Covid vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, are essentially better products. AstraZeneca is very good, but the mRNA products (and probably Novavax too) are better.

“They are more effective and the mRNA platforms adapt more easily to the latest variants of covid. “Therefore, they form a key part of most countries’ long-term strategies.”