AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw its successful coronavirus vaccine, Vaxzevria, due to a decrease in demand caused by the availability of numerous new vaccines.
The vaccine, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, has been a major player in the global Covid-19 vaccination effort, with over 3 billion doses administered since its introduction in the UK on January 4, 2021.
However, the company has not generated revenue from the vaccine since April 2023.
AstraZeneca stated, “As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have … been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines.
This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.”
Consequently, the company is initiating the withdrawal of marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria in Europe.
The European Medicines Agency has also confirmed the withdrawal, meaning Vaxzevria is no longer authorized for marketing or sale in European Union countries.
AstraZeneca plans to collaborate with regulators in other nations to withdraw marketing authorizations where no future commercial demand is expected.
AstraZeneca expressed pride in Vaxzevria’s contribution to the pandemic response, noting recognition from governments worldwide and its role in efforts to end the global health crisis.
Source-CNN
