AstraZeneca pulls out Covishield vaccine from across the globe amid controversy

AstraZeneca has announced a global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, including the Covishield version produced by the Serum Institute of India, citing commercial reasons and the availability of updated vaccines targeting new variants of the virus.

The decision comes after recent revelations about rare side effects associated with the vaccine, including cases of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

The withdrawal was characterized as a voluntary action by AstraZeneca, which has ceased production of the vaccine and is discontinuing its use globally. The company emphasized that the decision to withdraw was not directly linked to ongoing legal actions, including a £100 million lawsuit in the UK alleging deaths and injuries caused by the vaccine.

In a statement, AstraZeneca highlighted the substantial impact of its vaccine efforts, noting the distribution of over three billion doses globally and the estimated saving of over 6.5 million lives in the first year alone.

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The company acknowledged the development of multiple updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting a broader range of virus strains, leading to an oversupply of available vaccines and prompting the withdrawal of the original monovalent versions like Covishield.

Experts anticipate a shift towards updated vaccines capable of addressing a wider spectrum of COVID-19 variants, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat the evolving nature of the pandemic.

AstraZeneca emphasized its commitment to working with regulators and partners to navigate this transition and continue its contribution towards ending the global health crisis.

Earlier, AstraZeneca has admitted in court documents for the first time that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to rare side effects, including Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), characterised by blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

This admission came amidst a class action lawsuit alleging serious injury and death caused by the vaccine, with claims that its efficacy was overstated and that it is defective.

The legal proceedings involve 51 cases filed in the court, with plaintiffs and their families seeking damages totalling up to £100 million. The first case, initiated in 2023 by Jamie Scott, involves permanent brain injury allegedly linked to the vaccine received in April 2021.