KUWAIT CITY, May 9: In a significant development, British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced the withdrawal of its anti-COVID-19 vaccine, "Vaxifria." This vaccine, which was among the earliest developed during the onset of the pandemic, is being pulled from circulation citing "commercial reasons" and an oversupply of updated vaccine doses.

According to sources in the health sector, the Ministry of Health in Kuwait has not procured doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine since late 2021 due to the absence of a contract. The ministry's current vaccine stock comprises other approved types that have been in use.

A spokesperson for AstraZeneca stated, "With the development of numerous COVID-19 vaccines targeting different variants, there is now an excess supply of updated vaccines available." This surplus has resulted in diminished demand for Vaxifria, leading to its discontinuation in manufacturing and supply.

The spokesperson further commented, "We are committed to collaborating with health authorities and partners to navigate the next steps and contribute significantly to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic."

AstraZeneca has initiated the process of withdrawing Vaxifria from markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of COVID-19 vaccination efforts, prompting discussions on the future direction of vaccine distribution and deployment strategies.