AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccine worldwide after admitting side effects
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ALBAWABA In a significant development, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is reportedly being withdrawn worldwide, following months of scrutiny and controversy surrounding its safety profile. The decision comes after the pharmaceutical company admitted for the first time in court documents that the vaccine can cause a rare side effect.
The vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, is no longer authorized for use in the European Union after AstraZeneca voluntarily withdrew its marketing authorization. The application for withdrawal was submitted on March 5 and came into effect recently.
AstraZeneca has stated that the decision to withdraw the vaccine is purely coincidental and not related to ongoing legal proceedings or recent admissions regarding its side effects. The company cited a surplus of newer vaccines specifically adapted to target Covid-19 variants as the primary reason behind the withdrawal.
According to reports from the Telegraph, AstraZeneca mentioned that the decline in demand for the vaccine led to its decision to halt manufacturing and supply. They emphasized their pride in the role Vaxzevria played in combating the global pandemic but acknowledged the evolving landscape of Covid-19 vaccination.