AstraZeneca Under Legal Lens, Faces Two COVID-19 Vaccine Lawsuits In London

AstraZeneca Plc AZN, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant, is reportedly under legal scrutiny as it faces two lawsuits related to its COVID-19 vaccine in London. 

This marks the beginning of potentially multiple cases set to be brought forward in England.

The U.K. was among the first nations to introduce the AstraZeneca vaccine to its populace at the onset of 2021. However, concerns over a minimal risk of blood clotting led to its restricted use among individuals below 40.

Among the plaintiffs is Anish Tailor, whose wife, Alpa, died in March 2021 after she received her initial dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Reuters reported. 

On August 4, Tailor lodged a product liability lawsuit against the drugmaker at London's High Court, as stated in court documents.

Peter Todd, a legal representative to Tailor, conveyed to Reuters that he anticipates almost 50 additional clients to challenge AstraZeneca in the forthcoming months legally.

A parallel legal challenge is emerging from Jamie Scott, who was diagnosed with vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia - a condition that can lead to potentially fatal blood clotting - after receiving the AstraZeneca jab. 

Scott initiated a product liability lawsuit against AstraZeneca this past Monday. As of now, specific details and filings related to the case remain undisclosed.

These lawsuits mark the first-ever legal challenges in England and Wales concerning adverse responses to a COVID-19 vaccine, as verified by publicly accessible court documents.

Price Action: AZN shares are down 0.72% at $68.60 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.