By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 8: AstraZeneca has initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine, months after the phamaceutical giant admitted in court documents that it can cause a rare and dangerous side effect.
As reported by Daily Mail UK, the company stated on Tuesday the withdrawal stemmed from a “surplus of available updated vaccines” since the pandemic, resulting in decreased demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer in prodution or distribution.
Consequently, the company has opted to initiate the withdrawal of Vaxzevria’s marketing authorisations across Europe.
Media reports revealed that AstraZeneca had previously acknowledged in legal filings that its vaccine could, in very rare instances, lead to adverse effects such as blood clots (thrombosis) and low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).
This admission surfaced in the context of a UK class action lawsuit seeking £100 million for nearly 50 individuals who experienced side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Legal representatives contended that the vaccine triggered adverse reactions in a small fraction of recipients.
Subsequent to these developments, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad expressed the Ministry’s intention to request a comprehensive and transparent explaination from AstraZeneca concerning its Covid-19 vaccine.
“They must be responsible, just as we must be. There’s nothing we want to hide, and we stand by them.
“They are a large pharmaceutical company and vaccine manufacturer. They need to provide clarification and enlightenment not only to our citizens but globally,” he was quoted as saying on May 2.
Dr Dzulkefly urged all parties not to hastily draw conclusions regarding the issue, while emphasising the vaccine’s beneficial impact.
“The cases of side effects are at a probability rate of 0.9 per cent in one million people. Compare it with its benefits. I ask you to think logically, scientifically, weigh the pros and cons, and put it into perspective,” he added. — DayakDaily
