Swine flu vaccines hijacked in Milwaukee

A refrigerated truck carrying 930 doses swine flu vaccines has been recovered, after being stolen in Milwaukee, Michigan.

Authorities say that the truck was delivering the doses to Milwaukee's main storage facility on Thursday. The driver(s) left the truck out of sight only for a short period of time when it was taken.

Police found the truck about 40 minutes later with the vaccines seemingly untouched and possibly even unnoticed by the thieves.

Police conclude the criminal action was inspired because of convenience and easy access to the vehicle than by the cargo of A(H1N1) vaccine inside.

Even though, like every US city, people in Milwaukee need the vaccine, the doses were sent back to the manufacturers. "Given that it was out of our chain of custody, we cannot validate the integrity of that vaccine supply," said Bevan K. Baker, the city health commissioner.

Police say they have a suspect in the case and prosecutors are considering charges against him.

According to Mr. Baker the department will no longer employ the transport company involved, and trucks carrying the A(H1N1) doses will be escorted by a police squad car from now on.

Baker said the vaccines will be trashed since he can't be sure they weren't tampered with.