AstraZeneca has announced its decision to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine from circulation in the European Union, with other countries likely to follow suit in a similar move.

AstraZeneca has decided to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine globally, shortly after acknowledging its potential to cause a rare yet severe side effect. The application to withdraw the vaccine from circulation in the European Union was submitted on March 5 and took effect on Tuesday, as reported by The Telegraph. Similar withdrawal requests will be made by the company in several other countries where the vaccine had been authorized, including Australia. This decision comes amid concerns about a connection between the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, and a rare but serious condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS).