AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally

"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side-effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

The firm's application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the development.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the pharmaceutical giant is being sued in a class action in UK over claims that its vaccine against Covid-19, developed with the University of Oxford, caused death and serious injury, including TTS — Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome — which causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count. In India as well, a plea was submitted to the Supreme Court last week , urging the establishment of a medical expert panel overseen by a retired apex court judge. This panel would be tasked with assessing potential side effects and risk factors associated with the Covishield vaccine.

London-listed AstraZeneca began moving into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs through several deals last year after a slowdown in growth as COVID-19 medicine sales declined.