The AZtec two-step

AstraZeneca vaccine withdrawal

How can a vaccine that was once actively promoted by the government and celebrated with knighthoods, standing ovations, and even Barbie dolls rapidly lose its credibility? Although the company claims it's due to commercial reasons, early indications of potentially harmful side effects were overlooked, resulting in significant costs to patients and its ultimate downfall. 

At the holder's request, the marketing authorisation for Oxford’s AstraZeneca vaccine "Vaxzevria”  has now been withdrawn. The withdrawal is effective 7 May 2024 and is worldwide.

The company has announced that it is withdrawing a vaccine due to a “surplus of available updated vaccines”. However, the Astra Zeneca has come under scrutiny for potentially dangerous side effects. AstraZeneca recently admitted that the vaccine, in rare cases, causes Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, which has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK.

To some extent, the commercial decision could be seen as a reasonable explanation…