SPRINGFIELD - Thousands of expired flu vaccines that had become a political albatross for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and remain a financial liability for taxpayers were sent to Pakistan to inoculate earthquake victims.

Blagojevich announced Friday the 256,000 doses his administration obtained in Europe more than a year ago but was never able to import were donated and arrived in Pakistan to aid relief efforts. A massive earthquake in October caused widespread devastation throughout Pakistan and India, killing more than 80,000 and leaving nearly 3 million homeless.

A Vanderbilt University flu expert said the donation, with the help of some sheer luck, should help even though the medicine is past its expiration date.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor and chairman of the school's preventive medicine department, said expiration dates are on flu vaccines because the vaccine needs to change to combat changing flu strains.

"As it happens, last year's flu strains and this year's are the same," said Schaffner. "So it is likely that the governor's gesture would be useful."

The state considered donating the shots to South African AIDS patients, but that never panned out. Soon after the earthquake, Illinois officials learned Pakistan was interested, and a deal ensued.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said there is no financial gain for the state, and this doesn't reduce the state's potential liability.

So Illinois taxpayers, who could be stuck with the $2.6 million tab, gain the knowledge that the flu shots are at least helping someone somewhere.

Last year, in the face of shortages here, Blagojevich ordered aides to scour Europe for flu vaccines even though it's illegal to import such foreign medicines. And while Blagojevich's efforts garnered national media attention, federal authorities never allowed the flu vaccines into the country.

By John Patterson Daily Herald State Government Editor
Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.