New York [US], May 8: AstraZeneca said the decision to recall its Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, was purely commercial because the vaccine had been replaced by updated products.
The Telegraph reported on May 8 that AstraZeneca 's Covid-19 vaccine is being recalled globally, after the UK-based pharmaceutical company admitted that the vaccine could cause rare and dangerous side effects.
The vaccine can no longer be used in the European Union (EU) after the company voluntarily withdrew its "marketing authorisation". The application to withdraw the vaccine was submitted on March 5 and took effect on May 7.
Similar applications will be filed in the coming months in Britain and in other countries that have approved AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine , called Vaxzevria.
The decision ended the use of the shot, which former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed as a "victory for British science" and was credited with saving more than 6 million lives.
AstraZeneca said the vaccine was removed from the market for commercial reasons. They said the vaccine is no longer being produced or supplied but has been replaced with updated vaccines to address new variants.
Vaxzevria has come under scrutiny in recent months for a very rare side effect that causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts. AstraZeneca admitted in court documents filed in February that the vaccine "in very rare circumstances may cause TTS".
Thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK. AstraZeneca is being sued by more than 50 victims and relatives in a case in the UK.
However, AstraZeneca insisted that the decision to recall the vaccine was not related to the court case or its admission that it could cause TTS. The company said the timing was purely coincidental.
"We are incredibly proud of Vaxzevria's role 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 3 billion doses has been made available globally. Our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are considered by many to be an important part of ending the global pandemic," according to AstraZeneca's statement. .
The company said Covid-19 vaccines to deal with new variants have been developed so there are many updated vaccines available. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer produced or supplied. As a result, AstraZeneca has taken the decision to begin revoking the marketing authorization for Vaxzevria in Europe.
"We will now work with regulators and our partners to agree a clear roadmap towards ending this chapter and making a significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic," it said. company report.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper