AstraZeneca Says It Will Withdraw COVID-19 Vaccine Globally as Demand Dips

A vial labelled “AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine” is seen in this illustration taken January 16, 2022.
13:09 JST, May 8, 2024
AstraZeneca AZN.Lsaid on Tuesday it had initiatedthe worldwide withdrawal ofits COVID-19 vaccine due to a “surplus of available updated vaccines” since the pandemic.
The company also said it would proceed to withdraw the vaccine Vaxzevria’s marketing authorizations within Europe.
“As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines,” the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
According to media reports, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side-effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.
The firm’s application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the development.
London-listed AstraZeneca began moving into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs through several deals last year after a slowdown in growth as COVID-19 medicine sales declined.
"News Services" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Executives at Japan’s Fuji TV and Parent Firm Resign over a Sex Scandal Linked to a Former Star
-
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Logs Worst Day in 4 Months on US Tariff Worries; Automakers Slump (UPDATE 2)
-
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Falls over 1% as Chip-Related Shares Track Nasdaq Lower (UPDATE 1)
-
Israel Says Truce with Hamas Begins, after Delay
-
Japan’s Nikkei Stock down Nearly 1% as Tech Shares Stumble (UPDATE 1)
JN ACCESS RANKING