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Doctor Accused of Using Old Flu Vaccine
Washington State Accuses Physician of
Giving Outdated Flu Vaccine to 55 Patients
The Associated Press
November 7, 2004
The state's medical quality board has accused a physician of giving outdated flu vaccine to 55 patients.
Dr. Gary McCallum used a batch of last year's vaccine, according to the state's Medical Quality Assurance Commission, which licenses physicians and other medical professionals. The board charged him on Friday with unprofessional conduct, specifically fraud and misrepresentation.
McCallum told patients the vaccine, purchased last year in Canada, was good for the current flu season even though its expiration date was in July, state Health Department spokesman Tim Church said.
"The people that received the vaccine aren't at any increased risk of side effects, but they may think they've been immunized when they ... have not been immunized," said Regina Delahunt, director of the Whatcom County Health Department.
Flu vaccine is custom-made each year for the types of virus expected during the coming flu season. About half of the nation's supply for this winter was eliminated because of contamination at one drug company's laboratories in Britain.
McCallum, of Barkley Village Family Medical Clinic, said all affected patients were getting new shots and that he could not comment further.
McCallum administered the vaccine between Oct. 15 and Tuesday, charging $20 for adults and $10 for children. Health Department investigators visited McCallum's practice Wednesday after receiving a tip, Church said.
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