AstraZeneca announced on Tuesday that it is globally withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine, as reported by UK-based media outlet The Telegraph. The company cited an abundance of newer vaccine options available since the pandemic began.
Additionally, AstraZeneca plans to revoke marketing authorizations for its vaccine, Vaxzevria, within Europe due to reduced demand and discontinuation of production and supply.
"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said.
The withdrawal announcement comes at the heels of media reports suggesting that AstraZeneca has acknowledged in court documents that the vaccine can lead to side effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.
The withdrawal process, initiated on March 5, officially took effect on May 7, according to The Telegraph. AstraZeneca, based in London, has diversified its focus into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs following a slowdown in COVID-19 medicine sales.
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