A pharmacist in Wisconsin had his license suspended Wednesday after being accused of intentionally spoiling coronavirus vaccines.
The Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board suspended Steven Brandenburg's license due to accusations that he spoiled 500 doses of the vaccine because he thought it was unsafe and would alter a person’s DNA, The Associated Press reported. Brandenburg cannot practice while his license is suspended.
The former Advocate Aurora Health pharmacist claimed when he was arrested that it was an accidental error and he didn’t mean to ruin the vaccine vials. Police said he later admitted to removing the vials on purpose.
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Brandenburg removed the 57 vials from the refrigerator on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. The vials were not discovered until Dec. 26. “[S]ome of the vaccine was administered to team members on Dec. 26 within the approved 12-hour post-refrigeration window" but the rest had to be discarded, the hospital said in a statement on Dec. 28.
Brandenburg has not been criminally charged yet, but a status conference for the case will take place Tuesday. Brandenburg agreed to have his license suspended “in order to focus” on the charges that could be brought against him.
The pharmacist allegedly tampered with the vaccine because he believed in conspiracy theories that said the coronavirus vaccine was designed to alter a person’s DNA. The doses he destroyed cost between $8,000 and $11,000, authorities say.
Public health officials have battled misinformation and other similar false claims about the vaccine for months, though officials have sought to also reduce skepticism among those who are eligible to receive a vaccination but have opted not to, citing concerns about its fast development.
Millions of doses have been administered in the United States since last month but the rollout has lagged, with federal officials hoping to increase the pace of vaccinations in the coming weeks.
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January 15, 2021 at 03:35AM
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