The UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has halted the global distribution of its COVID-19 vaccine, citing “commercial reasons.” This decision comes shortly after the company acknowledged in legal filings that the vaccine might cause a rare but serious side effect.
Despite the timing, AstraZeneca maintains that the discontinuation is not related to its recent court admissions regarding that the vaccine can cause Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome. According to the company, the decision to cease production and supply of the vaccine was a business move.
The company withdrew its “marketing authorization” and the vaccine is no longer authorized for use in the European Union. The withdrawal application was submitted on March 5 and took effect on Tuesday (May 7).
Similar applications will be submitted in the UK and other countries that had previously approved the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria.
Concerns about Vaxzevria have been escalating globally due to its association with a rare side effect that leads to blood clots and a decrease in blood platelets.
Over 50 lawsuits have been filed against AstraZeneca by affected individuals and families of the deceased in the UK alone
Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (or TTS) has been linked with at least 81 deaths in the UK, along with numerous serious injuries. AstraZeneca is facing lawsuits from over 50 such alleged victims and relatives of the deceased in the UK.
“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,” AstraZeneca said, as quoted by The Telegraph.