AstraZeneca Announces Withdrawal of COVID Vaccine

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, pivotal in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, faced a significant development “on May 7, 2024,” when the European Commission revoked its authorization for use, following AstraZeneca’s application to withdraw EU marketing authorization on “March 27, 2024.”

The AstraZeneca Vaccine Debate: Beyond Adverse Events

Although media coverage associates this decision mainly with rare adverse events such as blood clots, it is likely that other factors influenced the outcome.

Initially administered outside clinical trials on January 4, 2021, the vaccine played a vital role, saving an estimated 6.3 million lives amidst global supply challenges, notably during the delta variant crisis in India.

“Like Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines, AstraZeneca has undergone rigorous testing, demonstrating safety and efficacy in phase 3 trials.” Despite public reports of potential adverse events in February 2021, regulatory bodies emphasized that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks.

With COVID cases soaring, evidence showed the virus posed a higher risk of blood clots than the vaccine. For every 10 million vaccinated with AstraZeneca, there were 66 extra cases of blood clots, compared to 12,614 cases due to COVID-19 infection.

These rates are lower than many common medications. For instance, contraceptive pills pose a one in 1,000 risk of blood clots, while postmenopausal hormone therapy increases the risk to one in 300 per year.

Negative Public Image

The AstraZeneca vaccine faced unjustified criticism, particularly due to misinterpreted data suggesting low efficacy, which was later clarified. False claims from the anti-vaccine lobby, including “unfounded links to infertility,” contributed to the negative perception. Accessing compensation for vaccine-related injuries proved challenging for many individuals and families.

Despite being a valuable tool in the pandemic response, the AstraZeneca vaccine is now overshadowed by more effective options like “Pfizer and Moderna.” These mRNA vaccines offer superior efficacy and safety profiles, addressing initial logistical concerns. Consequently, demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine has decreased, prompting its withdrawal from the market. While its era may be ending, the AstraZeneca vaccine played a significant role in the global fight against COVID-19.

Read the Original Article on: Science Alert

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