the reasons for the backtracking –

AstraZeneca has begun a global recall of its Covid-19 vaccine due to “a surplus of available updated vaccines” that target new variants of the virus. The announcement follows the pharmaceutical company’s decision last March to voluntarily withdraw its marketing authorization in the European Union, or approval to market a medicine in member states. Yesterday the European Medicines Agency issued a warning that the vaccine is no longer authorized for use.

AstraZeneca said the decision was made because a variety of newer vaccines are now available that have been adapted to target Covid-19 variants. This had led to a drop in demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is no longer produced or supplied. The company then highlighted how “our efforts have been recognized by governments around the world and are widely considered to be a critical component to ending the global pandemic.” Finally, the Guardian recalls that, although the vaccine was overall safe and effective, it carried the risk of a rare but serious side effect, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia or TTS. The rare syndrome occurred in regarding two to three people out of 100,000 vaccinated with the Vaxzevria vaccine.