Highlights

  • AstraZeneca removes its Covid vaccine
  • Comes week after side effect admission
  • 'Withdrawing due to commercial reasons'

Latest news

Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years in landmark French mass rape case

Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years in landmark French mass rape case

PM Modi speaks to King Charles, reaffirms India-UK strategic partnership

PM Modi speaks to King Charles, reaffirms India-UK strategic partnership

Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, discusses J&K's statehood restoration

Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, discusses J&K's statehood restoration

Unprecedented fracas on Parliament premises, 2 BJP MPs injured; NDA, Congress file police complaints

Unprecedented fracas on Parliament premises, 2 BJP MPs injured; NDA, Congress file police complaints

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Delhi Elections: MCD passes proposal to release Rs 25.35 crore for preparations

Delhi Elections: MCD passes proposal to release Rs 25.35 crore for preparations

Global stocks struggle amid inflation, economic fears: December 19, 2024 analysis

Global stocks struggle amid inflation, economic fears: December 19, 2024 analysis

AstraZeneca says withdrawing Covid-19 vaccine globally after admitting rare side effect

AstraZeneca's vaccine was marketed as Covishield in India and was manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India. 

AstraZeneca says withdrawing Covid-19 vaccine globally after admitting rare side effect

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccine globally weeks after it made a rare admission in a UK court that its vaccine can cause side effects in very rare cases.

AstraZeneca submitted the withdrawal application on March 5 in the EU and the application came into effect on May 7. The pharma major said it will make similar applications in the UK and other countries.

But, the firm said that it is removing the vaccine from the markets for commercial reasons and called timing as pure coincidence. Telegraph newspaper reported on May 7 that the vaccine is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca's vaccine was marketed as Covishield in India and was manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India.

In a statement, the company said: “We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally.

“Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.

“As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe.

“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.”

Earlier, AstraZeneca admitted in court documents lodged with the High Court in February that the vaccine “can, in very rare cases, cause TTS”.

TTS stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome. TTS involves blood clots in the brain or other parts of the body, along with a low platelet count. It has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK as well as hundreds of serious injuries. AstraZeneca is being sued by more than 50 alleged victims and grieving relatives in a High Court case.

Also read | AstraZeneca admits Covishield's side effects, here are things you can do to prevent blood-clotting

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

AstraZeneca says withdrawing Covid-19 vaccine globally after admitting rare side effect

AstraZeneca says withdrawing Covid-19 vaccine globally after admitting rare side effect

Israel accused of 'acts of genocide', 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza

Israel accused of 'acts of genocide', 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Mysterious 'dinga dinga' illness causing body shaking affects 300 in Uganda

Mysterious 'dinga dinga' illness causing body shaking affects 300 in Uganda

Putin ready to meet Trump 'anytime' to talk Ukraine deal

Putin ready to meet Trump 'anytime' to talk Ukraine deal

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

UK PM Keir Starmer hosts Indian business chiefs to boost investments

UK PM Keir Starmer hosts Indian business chiefs to boost investments

Russia claims capture of two new villages in east Ukraine: agencies

Russia claims capture of two new villages in east Ukraine: agencies

US Govt urges Supreme Court to dismiss Mumbai terror accused Rana's petition for writ of certiorari

US Govt urges Supreme Court to dismiss Mumbai terror accused Rana's petition for writ of certiorari

Nuclear-armed Pakistan says fresh US sanctions 'biased'

Nuclear-armed Pakistan says fresh US sanctions 'biased'

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face extended stay on ISS

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face extended stay on ISS

'Satellite beams turned off over India': Musk rejects claim of Starlink misuse in Manipur

'Satellite beams turned off over India': Musk rejects claim of Starlink misuse in Manipur

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians

Muhammad Yunus celebrates end of Sheikh Hasina’s ‘autocratic government’

Muhammad Yunus celebrates end of Sheikh Hasina’s ‘autocratic government’

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.