Audio By Carbonatix
AstraZeneca is withdrawing its highly successful coronavirus vaccine, citing the availability of a plethora of new shots that has led to a decline in demand.
The vaccine — called Vaxzevria and developed in partnership with the University of Oxford — has been one of the main Covid-19 vaccines worldwide, with more than 3 billion doses supplied since the first was administered in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021.
But the vaccine has not generated revenue for AstraZeneca since April 2023, the company said.
“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,” it said in a statement shared with CNN Wednesday.
“AstraZeneca has therefore taken the decision to initiate withdrawal of the marketing authorizations for Vaxzevria within Europe,” it added.
In a notice on its website, the European Medicines Agency also announced the withdrawal, which means that Vaxzevria is no longer authorized to be marketed or sold in European Union countries.
AstraZeneca said it would work with regulators in other countries to “align on a clear path forward,” including withdrawing marketing authorizations for the vaccine where no future commercial demand is expected.
“We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played… Our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic,” AstraZeneca said.
Latest Stories
-
GHACEM Super Strong Waterproof Cement now available nationwide
14 minutes -
MP supports artisans with tools under National Apprenticeship Programme
25 minutes -
ICGC @ 42 – A church built on the word with a global influence
26 minutes -
I won’t go to 2026 World Cup with Ghana – German-born Ilyas Ansah
32 minutes -
Ghana’s external debt fell by GH¢86.7bn to GH¢330.2bn in November 2025
37 minutes -
NCA celebrates 30 years as voice service penetration soars
38 minutes -
North Korea could ‘get along’ with US, says Kim Jong Un
42 minutes -
Government spent GH¢194.36bn in 2025, 24% lower than targeted amount
43 minutes -
Chip giant Nvidia defies AI concerns with record $215bn revenue
48 minutes -
Economic gains don’t mean time to relax—Kamal-Deen Abdulai to NDC
51 minutes -
Canada’s finance minister says US is unlikely to lift tariffs
52 minutes -
UN sanctions paramilitary leaders over Sudan atrocities
56 minutes -
Man killed in Tamale over unpaid tramadol debt
1 hour -
Gold reserve policy not NPP’s brainchild; it dates back to Nkrumah – Hamza Suhuyini
1 hour -
DVLA clarifies reports on staff deployment abroad for licensing services
1 hour
