May 8th 2024.
The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, based in the United Kingdom, has recently announced its decision to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine from the global market. This vaccine, known as 'Covishield' in India, was developed in partnership with the Serum Institute of India. The decision came after the company acknowledged the rare side effects of blood clotting and low platelet counts associated with the vaccine.
According to AstraZeneca, the withdrawal has been initiated due to the abundance of updated vaccines available since the pandemic. In a statement, the company explained that with the development of multiple variant COVID-19 vaccines, there is now a surplus of options for people. This surplus has caused a decline in the demand for their vaccine, which was sold as 'Vaxzevria' in Europe and 'Covishield' in India.
The company also clarified that they will be working closely with regulators and their partners to come up with a clear plan to conclude this chapter and make a significant contribution to the fight against COVID-19. This decision comes after AstraZeneca had previously admitted, as reported by global media, that their vaccine could potentially cause a rare side effect called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in very rare cases.
Despite this, the company expressed their pride in the role that Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. They stated that, according to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of its use and over three billion doses were supplied worldwide. AstraZeneca's efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are considered a critical component in ending the pandemic.
In India alone, over 220 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, with a majority of them being Covishield. As the world continues to battle the pandemic, AstraZeneca remains committed to playing their part in ending it and ensuring the safety and well-being of people globally. This decision marks the end of a significant chapter in their fight against COVID-19, and the company looks forward to the future with hope and determination.
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