AstraZeneca Withdraws COVID-19 Vaccine amid Safety Concerns
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company has announced the withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine from global markets, citing decreased demand and safety concerns following revelations about rare blood clotting risks associated with the vaccine.
The decision to withdraw the vaccine follows recent acknowledgment by the drug manufacturer of the potential for fatal blood clots in rare cases. A spokesperson for AstraZeneca stated on Wednesday that multiple variants of the vaccine had been developed since the pandemic's onset, leading to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or developed.
In a statement, the spokesperson also referenced independent estimates suggesting significant lives saved and doses supplied globally, yet the company emphasized the discontinuation of the vaccine amidst ongoing safety debates.
Initially rolled out in early 2021, the AstraZeneca vaccine faced scrutiny after several countries suspended its use due to concerns over blood clot risks. Despite this, EU health officials maintained the vaccine's benefits outweighed the risks.
AstraZeneca faced legal challenges, including a class-action lawsuit alleging the vaccine's defectiveness and safety concerns beyond expectations, which the company has refuted. Plaintiffs claim the vaccine has led to rare conditions like Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), which has been linked to fatalities and serious injuries.
While initially denying a direct link between the vaccine and TTS, AstraZeneca admitted in court documents that "the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS," while asserting its safety profile as acceptable.