Dhaka, May 8 -- AstraZeneca has initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.

The company also said it would proceed to withdraw the vaccine Vaxzevria's marketing authorisations within Europe, according to Reuters.

"As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

According to media, opens new tab reports, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side-effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet coun...