AstraZeneca (AZ) has begun the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, citing a “surplus” of vaccines that have been updated to target new variants of the virus.
The company said in a statement that this has led to a decline in demand for the vaccine, Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
According to the Telegraph, AZ’s application to voluntarily withdraw its European marketing authorisation was made on 5 March and came into effect on 7 May. The European Medicines Agency has since issued a notice that the vaccine is no longer authorised for use.
Similar applications in the UK and other countries where the vaccine holds approvals will be made in the coming months, the Telegraph noted.
AZ said: “As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines… 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.”
The decision comes just months after the Telegraph reported that AZ had admitted in court documents that the vaccine can, in “very rare” cases, cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
The blood-clotting condition has been associated with at least 81 deaths in the UK, alongside hundreds of serious injuries, and AZ is being sued by more than 50 alleged victims and relatives in a High Court case.
The company outlined in its recent statement that the withdrawal of Vaxzevria was made for commercial reasons.
It 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.”