Truck full of flu vaccine stolen
Nov. 6--More than 900 doses of Milwaukee’s allotted H1N1 flu vaccine will have to be returned to the manufacturer, officials said, after a truck used to transport the vaccine was stolen Thursday night.
The truck was taken shortly before 8 p.m. from the 1200 block of W. Highland Blvd. in front of Sarah Scott Middle School, where about 1,950 people received flu vaccinations Thursday, Police Capt. Michael Massa said.
The truck was found abandoned about 8:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of W. Vine St. and none of its contents appeared to be missing, Massa said.
A 38-year-old man who was seen in the truck was arrested nearby, and police were searching for two other men believed to have been with him, Massa said.
Because the vaccine was out of the possession of the Milwaukee Health Department for that time, the doses -- both the injectable and nasally ingested vaccine -- must be returned to the manufacturer, city health commissioner Bevan Baker said.
Baker and Paul A. Biedrzycki, director of disease control and environmental health for the city’s health department, said they were not sure the doses would be replaced but Baker said he was sure that there would be enough vaccine. Baker said transportation of the vaccine was contracted out to a private company, and city health officials will conduct an internal investigation to determine whether the process could be improved.
He also said a vaccination clinic scheduled for Friday will take place as planned.
Massa said the driver of the truck was picking up medical supplies from the school building and left the vehicle running so that a refrigeration unit containing the vaccine would remain on.
"It appeared to be a crime of opportunity," Massa said.
Nov 8, 2009 at 6:56 p.m.
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probably the mob.
Nov 7, 2009 at 10:05 p.m.
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How can a doctor (or anyone else) predict how many will die from H1N1? Crystal ball?
Nov 7, 2009 at 8 p.m.
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Poobah,You are totally correct.As I seen on a Fox News interview (forget Dr.'s name) common flu strains kill more people(all age group's) than H1N1 has,or will.
Nov 7, 2009 at 7:57 p.m.
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"The Stand"
Written By...Steven King
Starring.....Captain Tripps,
.....Real American's
Must See....Limited engagement...Until we are DEAD.
Nov 7, 2009 at 7:23 p.m.
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dub190 - short but to the point. Can you say the same?
Nov 7, 2009 at 7:18 p.m.
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WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT
Nov 7, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.
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Use to work for a specialty hospital bed company. The new CEO they hired came from a pharmaceutical company. I swear you just wanted to take a shower after being in the same room with him. Their motto was, "If you're sick....get to the mall." Gives you an idea of the ilk running that industry.
Nov 7, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
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Doesn't some version of the 4-second rule apply in this case?
Let swine flu run its course -- it's just nature trying to give this stagnant gene pool a long delayed and very overdue courtesy flush. Remember, the "intelligent designer" created swine flu (right along with deer ticks, flatulence, morbid obesity, BO and skin tags), right? So how could it possibly be wrong? Best to relax, reflect, and enjoy it.
PS "ICOMPETENT"?! IDOUBTIT!
PSS Soilent green is peope!
Nov 7, 2009 at 12:01 p.m.
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Nice personal attack Localboy. Really shows the competence of your argument.
Nov 7, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
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WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!! AHHHH!!!!
Nov 7, 2009 at 4:39 a.m.
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Free H1N1 shots at my house...bring your own rubbing alchohol...:)
Nov 7, 2009 at 3:38 a.m.
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matzkeron - put down the pipe.......
Nov 6, 2009 at 9:34 p.m.
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That would be be a great response if it were true! Sadly it is not the case. I wish it were true. I really do! To think that drug companies have no interest in delays to push demand is naive. We need to demand better technology as Americans. To accept the old way of doing thing (an egg culture) is to stay put firmly in the past. This is a great lesson to all why education and science need to be the focus for our greatest assets. The children in school now! Give our kids a chance to dream and they will break the cycle that now exists. With lack of imagination comes lack of results. This has nothing to do with a conspiracy, and everything to do with a change of thinking and culture.
Nov 6, 2009 at 7:53 p.m.
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Nice conspiracy theory, matzkeron, but the largest single buyer of vaccines (the government) has long ago contracted for the vaccine they are buying -- including the price. The vaccine makers can raise prices, but they've already sold most all of the H1N1 vaccine they are going to sell. You really think the vaccine manufacturers have an interest in delaying the vaccine? Already the number of H1N1 cases is starting to diminish quite rapidly and it may be that in another few weeks many fewer people will feel the need to receive the vaccine. The media has hyped H1N1 though and a far greater number of people continue to die from standard flu strains than from H1N1.
Nov 6, 2009 at 7:34 p.m.
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Obama's fault!!
Nov 6, 2009 at 7:27 p.m.
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This is a made up story. They might as well just said the tooth fairy took the H1N1 vaccine. "America we have a problem!" It has been over a year since H1N1 has been a identified and the drug companies still can't meet the demand. Wake up and take off the blinders. Stop believing everything you hear and start questioning what you are being told. The more illness and deaths the more panic and the higher the price the drug companies can demand. Think about it!
Nov 6, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.
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ICOMPETENCE!
Nov 6, 2009 at 5:33 p.m.
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The truck was left running because of the refrigeration unit needed to keep the vaccine at a safe temperature.
.
The manufacturer will replace the destroyed vaccine, according to the Journal-Sentinel.
Nov 6, 2009 at 4:42 p.m.
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just use them.....geez.
Nov 6, 2009 at 4:18 p.m.
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Because usually with those trucks, if the key is in ignition, it's not in your hand to lock the truck on your way out ;-).
Nov 6, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
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This is one of the most retarded things I have heard of both the dork that stloe it and the idiot that left it unlocked!
Nov 6, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.
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Visions of apocalyptic movies with vaccines being transported by armored vehicles. Why doesn't this article state whether or not the truck was locked when the driver went inside the building and left the truck running?
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