AstraZeneca Withdraws COVID-19 Vaccine Due to Surplus of Updated Vaccines

AstraZeneca has taken the global decision to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, citing an oversupply of updated vaccines in light of the pandemic situation.

The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant noted a decline in demand for its vaccine since the availability of multiple variant COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, the production and supply of Vaxzevria have ceased, with the withdrawal of the vaccine’s marketing authorisations within Europe also in progress.

The AstraZeneca vaccine, associated with risks of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TSS), had its use ceased in Australia since March 21, 2023, following safety concerns.

After reports of TSS cases linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation updated its recommendations, advising a different vaccine for individuals under 50 due to a slightly elevated risk of developing the condition.

Notably, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia received reports of 173 probable or confirmed cases of TSS out of 13 million AstraZeneca doses administered, with 14 deaths, eight of which were TSS-associated.

Meanwhile, a Senior Research Fellow in Global Health from the University of Southampton shed light on the AstraZeneca vaccine’s history, emphasizing its pivotal role in the initial pandemic response and the global vaccination efforts.

The withdrawal of the EU marketing authorisation by AstraZeneca was preceded by a notable announcement from the company, underscoring that this decision is influenced by various factors rather than solely the known adverse events related to the vaccine.

The AstraZeneca vaccine underwent rigorous testing, demonstrating safety and efficacy, with significant deployment globally in early 2021, especially in Europe and the UK.

While concerns over the vaccine’s possible adverse effects were reported in early 2021, extensive studies have shown that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh its risks, particularly in high-COVID-prevalence scenarios.

Furthermore, comparative risk assessments have indicated that the incidence of blood clot-related events from the AstraZeneca vaccine is substantially lower than risks associated with commonplace medications, such as hormonal therapies.

Despite facing a negative public perception and misinformation campaigns, the withdrawal of the AstraZeneca vaccine can be attributed to the availability of more effective alternatives like Pfizer and Moderna, which offer heightened efficacy and safety profiles.