AstraZeneca pulls Covid-19 vaccine due to low demand

AstraZeneca has announced that it will stop producing its Vaxzevria coronavirus vaccine, which was developed with the University of Oxford, due to a decrease in demand caused by the availability of newer vaccines. Since its first administration in the UK on January 4, 2021, over 3 billion doses of Vaxzevria have been distributed globally. Despite its widespread use, the vaccine has not produced revenue for AstraZeneca since April 2023.

The company explained that the emergence of several new COVID-19 vaccines, designed to address various virus variants, has led to an excess of options, reducing the need for Vaxzevria. Consequently, AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw the marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria within Europe, as confirmed by a statement on the European Medicines Agency’s website, effectively ending its availability in the EU.

AstraZeneca plans to coordinate with regulatory authorities in other regions to discontinue the vaccine where no commercial demand is anticipated. The company expressed pride in the vaccine’s contribution to the global effort to end the pandemic and is recognized globally for its critical role.

Dr. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, noted that the availability of mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which are more effective and adaptable to COVID-19 variants, likely influenced the decision to phase out Vaxzevria.

The journey of Vaxzevria was challenging. Initially, AstraZeneca faced criticism over errors in clinical trials and communication issues, as well as production delays that affected its relationship with EU officials. Additionally, regulatory updates in 2021 included warnings of a rare but serious blood clotting side-effect, leading UK health authorities to recommend alternative vaccines to adults under 30.

Despite these challenges, Vaxzevria achieved considerable financial success, generating nearly $4 billion in sales in 2021, although sales drastically reduced to just $12 million last year. Furthermore, AstraZeneca is currently involved in a class action lawsuit in the UK concerning injuries allegedly linked to the vaccine.

In response to the lawsuit, an AstraZeneca spokesperson expressed sympathy for those affected and reiterated that global regulatory bodies have consistently confirmed the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, emphasizing that its benefits outweigh the risks associated with rare side effects.