Drugmaker recalls flu shot – at the end of the flu season!
A drug company trying to recall a vaccine after you’ve been injected is an awful lot like a barber trying to recall a haircut.
He can apologize all he wants – but the damage is pretty much done.
But in the history of useless vaccine recalls, it looks like GlaxoSmithKline has climbed the mountain and planted its flag on top.
Because it just recalled a version its four-in-one FluLaval vaccine, admitting it may not work. But, of course, GSK waited until flu season was over — and FluLaval was already coursing through your veins — to make the announcement.
GSK claims it’s recalling 1.7 million doses of FluLaval packaged in pre-filled syringes. But if you read the fine print, GSK admits it’s not sure how many – if any – of these doses are still left.
They sold those doses (and cashed the checks) up to three and a half months before announcing the recall.
Did it really take GSK three and a half months – right until the end of flu season – to figure out the vaccine wasn’t working and shouldn’t be sold?
Well, the company learned about the problem during a lab experiment that it seemingly could have conducted at any time. And just last year, the FDA sent a letter warning that the plant where FluLaval was produced had water quality, contamination and other issues that could affect the vaccines.
Sounds like everyone knew there could be a problem – except the millions of poor souls who had FluLaval jabbed into their arms.
Is there any better business to be in than making flu vaccines?
Drugmakers don’t have to come up with a product that works. They get free marketing from the government. And when flu vaccines fail 82 percent of the time – as they did this year – nobody is held responsible.
Our government doesn’t hold companies like GSK accountable, but you and I can. You can start next year, by keeping those sleeves rolled all the way down.
Source:
“Flu vaccine recalled due to efficacy concerns” Krystle Vermes, April 22, 2015, Pharmacy Times, pharmacytimes.com
