Amid mounting concerns over rare side effects, AstraZeneca has commenced the withdrawal of its coronavirus vaccine, Vaxzevria, from global markets, according to a recent Reuters report.

In collaboration with Oxford University, AstraZeneca developed two Covid-19 vaccines, CoviShield and Vaxzevria, in response to the rapid spread of the virus in 2020. The AstraZeneca vaccine gained widespread usage worldwide, including in Bangladesh. However, reports of rare side effects associated with CoviShield and Vaxzevria have prompted apprehension and controversy.

In response to the ongoing debate, AstraZeneca has initiated the withdrawal of the Vaxzevria vaccine from the market, as reported by Reuters. The company applied to the European Medicines Agency on March 5 to withdraw the vaccine, with the process officially commencing on Tuesday.

AstraZeneca cited reduced market demand and surplus supply as reasons for the vaccine's withdrawal. Additionally, the company noted the emergence of weakened strains of the virus, diminishing its lethality, as a contributing factor.

The pharmaceutical giant maintains that the withdrawal of the Covid-19 vaccine is driven by commercial considerations and is unrelated to reported side effects. However, countries worldwide have already halted the distribution of Vaxzevria, with Australia discontinuing its supply as of March 2023.

Since its approval for use in the UK immunization program in December 2020, the AstraZeneca vaccine has played a pivotal role in global vaccination efforts. With over 3 billion doses delivered worldwide, the withdrawal of Vaxzevria marks a significant development in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.