AstraZeneca announces it has launched a global recall of its Covid-19 vaccine. The pharmaceutical company said it will withdraw marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria in Europe, justifying its action due to the "overabundance of updated vaccines available" since the pandemic.
"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a glut of updated vaccines available," the company said, adding that this had led to a drop in demand for Vaxzevria, which is not being manufactured or no longer being supplied.
The firm's application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and became effective on May 7. The company admitted in late April for the first time in court documents during legal proceedings in London that its Covid vaccine can cause thrombosis as a rare side effect.