AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria globally

AstraZeneca is withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, globally due to surplus availability of updated vaccines and acknowledging side effects like thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in court. Withdrawal has begun in some markets and is expected in others, including India. The company cites multiple post-pandemic Covid-19 vaccines leading to an oversupply.

In Q1 2024, vaccine and immunotherapy (V &I) revenue decreased by 35%, primarily from reduced sales of Covid-19 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Revenue from Vaxzevria and other V&I medicines declined by 79% and 99% respectively. Legal challenges, especially in the UK, involve alleged TTS injuries post-vaccination.

Recent court documents admit Vaxzevria's potential to cause TTS, linked to blood clotting. Developed with Oxford University, it's marketed as Covishield by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Granted regular market approval by the CDSCO in 2022, it initially launched in India in 2021 via Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).