The vaccine known as Vaxzevria, developed in partnership with Oxford University, has been withdrawn from use in the European Union by AstraZeneca. This was announced on March 5th and took effect on Tuesday. Similar applications are expected in the UK and other countries in the coming months. The vaccine has already ceased to be used in the UK.
Independent studies have shown that the vaccine saved over 6 million lives globally within the first year of its use, but at least 81 deaths in the UK are suspected to be related to side effects that cause clotting in individuals with platelet deficiency. There are also hundreds of cases of serious injuries.
AstraZeneca has acknowledged that the vaccine can cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in very rare cases, although it argued that TTS can occur without vaccination and that a causal link must be established on a case-by-case basis. In February, a court document revealed this acknowledgement, but it also highlighted that independent studies have shown that alternative vaccines effective against newer virus variants may offer better protection against COVID-19 infection.
In Belgium, two individuals died of TTS following vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen and Vaxzevria, as reported by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAGG) in January 2022. The withdrawal of Vaxzevria is not new as it was included in product information back in April 2021. However, AstraZeneca maintains that the benefit-risk balance of the vaccine remains positive, supported by clinical trials and real-world data. Regulators worldwide continue to emphasize that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side effects.
There is a class action lawsuit against AstraZeneca in the UK, with more than 50 alleged victims and their families claiming serious injuries and deaths resulting from the vaccine.
Overall, while Vaxzevria is no longer available for use due to advancements in alternative vaccines effective against newer virus variants, regulators worldwide continue to emphasize that vaccination is safe and beneficial for most people who meet eligibility criteria.
