I am aware that somewhere toward the end of 2021 the AstraZeneca vaccine was phased out and was replaced by the mRNA COVID vaccines.
Is there an exact or approximate date at which this occurred?
Thank you for your recent request dated 21st May 2023.
There was not a date on which one was phased out in preference for another and the two ran concurrently for the early phase of the pandemic.
8 December 2020 – First doses of Pfizer mRNA vaccine used in Wales.
January 2021 – First doses of AstraZeneca vaccines were used in Wales
7 April 2021 – The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that due to the extremely rare adverse events of concurrent thrombosis and thrombocytopenia JCVI it is preferable for adults aged less than 30 years without underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available. The alternative vaccines at that time were Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines.
7 May 2021 – JCVI extended the advice from 7th April to include that unvaccinated adults aged 30 to 39 years who are not in a clinical priority group at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, should be preferentially offered an alternative. The alternative vaccines at that time were Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines.
14 September 2021 - JCVI made a product recommendation in their statement (JCVI statement regarding a COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for winter 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) regarding booster in Autumn 2021, that advised a preference for the booster dose to be an mRNA product (either Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax). However, where mRNA vaccines could not be used (e.g. due to contraindication) the advice remained that AstraZeneca vaccine (Vaxzervria) could be used for those who had already received the vaccine in their primary course. This advice is reflected in data from the time which shows very limited use of the AZ product as a booster after this date.
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