New Delhi: AstraZeneca is pulling its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide due to an oversupply of updated vaccines and concerns about rare side effects. This decision comes after the UK pharmaceutical company recently acknowledged that its vaccine can cause a rare side effect named Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).
TTS involves blood clotting (thrombosis) combined with low levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia). TTS usually presents with blood clots in unusual locations, such as the brain or abdomen, and can lead to severe issues if left untreated. The exact cause of TTS is unclear and still under investigation.
AstraZeneca faces legal action linked to its vaccine. Its collaboration with the Serum Institute of India (SII) for supplying the Covishield vaccine to the Indian government is also being criticised. In the London High Court, 51 cases seek £100 million in compensation.
According to media reports, AstraZeneca submitted the application of withdrawal on March 5, and it took effect on May 7.
