YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Magnum Audit Flags Governance Issues at Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Ahead of Spin-Off 
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup 
Novartis to Acquire Avidity Biosciences for $12 Billion to Strengthen Rare Muscle Disorder Portfolio 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Cogent Biosciences Soars 120% on Breakthrough Phase 3 Results for Bezuclastinib in GIST Treatment 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Pfizer Secures $10 Billion Deal for Obesity Drug Developer Metsera, Outbids Novo Nordisk 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
Tesla Expands Affordable Model 3 Lineup in Europe to Boost EV Demand 
Tesla Faces 19% Drop in UK Registrations as Competition Intensifies 
Airline Loyalty Programs Face New Uncertainty as Visa–Mastercard Fee Settlement Evolves 
Eli Lilly Becomes First Pharma Giant to Hit $1 Trillion Amid Soaring Weight-Loss Drug Demand 
Proxy Advisors Urge Vote Against ANZ’s Executive Pay Report Amid Scandal Fallout 
USPS Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet as Nationwide Transition Accelerates 
AstraZeneca plc, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, is reportedly withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide. The company made the decision months after admitting in court there is a rare side effect.
But then again, according to Channel News Asia, AstraZeneca did not say this was the reason for the pullout of the vaccines. Rather, the company said it was due to “commercial reasons.”
Taking Back the COVID-19 Vaccines Years After Release
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday, May 7, the withdrawal of its vaccines around the world is already underway. It stressed that this is due to a "surplus of available updated vaccines" since the pandemic.
Moreover, the pharmaceutical and biotech firm announced it would also retract the vaccine Vaxzevria's marketing authorizations in Europe. AstraZeneca added that it is no longer producing its COVID-19 vaccine, so supply to the market has also stopped.
“As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines,” the company’s spokesman said in a statement. “This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.”
Reported Side Effects of Vaxzevria
AstraZeneca reportedly admitted in court documents that the vaccine has side effects like low platelet counts and blood clots. British newspapers stated that based on legal documents, the company's vaccine may cause TTS, but in very rare cases. World Health Organization (WHO), said this condition called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome is a serious and life-threatening negative effect.
“It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS,” AstraZeneca said in court documents in February. “The causal mechanism is not known.”
UK’s The Independent reported that AstraZeneca’s admission came after it was sued in the U.K. The class action lawsuits alleged that the company’s vaccine caused deaths and severe injuries, and claimants are seeking damages up to £100 million for around 50 supposed victims.
Photo by: Mufid Majnun/Unsplash
