Subject: PAK: AP on Illionois Donation of Flu Vaccine to Pakistan
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From http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-flu-vaccine,
1,1477592.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Illinois Donates Flu Vaccine to Pakistan
By JOHN O'CONNOR
Associated Press Writer
Published December 31, 2005, 4:44 AM CST
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A quarter-million doses of flu
vaccine that were bought overseas but couldn't be
imported will be donated to earthquake victims in
Pakistan, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said.
The 256,000 doses were purchased last year from
British wholesaler Ecosse Hospital Products Ltd. amid
a predicted U.S. vaccine shortage. But the Food and
Drug Administration barred the vaccine's import to
Illinois, saying it couldn't guarantee its safety.
Pakistan suffered the worst damage in the October
quake, which killed 87,000 people and left another 3.5
million homeless.
"We are in a unique position to help thousands of
Pakistanis who are struggling to recover from a
terrible tragedy," Blagojevich said. "The vaccine we
scoured Europe to find in 2004 will be put to use to
protect people who were left homeless, weak and
vulnerable after the devastating earthquake."
The vaccine expired in August. But Blagojevich
spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the Institute of
Biological Standards and Control in the United Kingdom
tested the vaccines and determined they will be
effective against flu strains that have hit in the
past year.
An Emory University biostatistician, Ira Longini, has
said that the vaccine could be effective after its
expiration date, as long as it's stored properly. But
the vaccine could lose potency, Longini said.
Still at issue is who pays for the vaccine. Ecosse has
never received the $2.5 million it charged because the
state comptroller refused payment because the state
never received the doses. Ecosse sued for the money,
and the case is still pending.
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press
