AstraZeneca Commences Recall Of COVID Vaccine Amid Emergence Of Modern Alternatives
By Abimbola Kintum
AstraZeneca initiates global recall of its COVID-19 vaccine.
AstraZeneca stated that the choice was prompted by the availability of a range of recently developed vaccines tailored for COVID-19 variants.
It remarked that this surplus has resulted in a decrease in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer in production or distribution.
“According to independent assessments, more than 6.5 million lives were preserved in the initial year of implementation alone, with over 3 billion doses distributed worldwide, as stated in the announcement.
“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.”
The announcement follows the pharmaceutical company’s voluntary withdrawal of its European Union marketing authorisation, which is the approval to market a medicine in member states.
On May 7, the European Medicines Agency issued a notice that the vaccine is no longer authorised for use.
The company is reported to have admitted for the first time in court documents that its COVID vaccine can cause a rare and dangerous side effect.
AstraZeneca has been under intense scrutiny in recent months over claims that its COVID vaccine causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts.
The vaccine was authorised for persons aged 18 and older, delivered as two injections about three months apart, usually into the muscle of the upper arm.
It was also used by some countries as a booster shot.
