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A Milwaukee pharmacist was arrested Thursday and charged with “tampering with and causing destruction” of more than 550 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine last week, police in Grafton, Wis., Confirmed.
In a statement, police officers said the now-fired pharmacist was arrested on recommended first-degree charges of recklessly endangering security, tampering with a prescription drug and criminal damage to property.
Officials did not reveal the identity of the individual “pending formal notification of the charges,” but said that in a written statement to Aurora Health public safety officials, he admitted “to intentionally withdrawing the vaccine knowing that if it is not stored properly, the vaccine would be ineffective. “
Moderna vials should be stored between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. They can remain effective for up to 12 hours if left at room temperature. Beyond that, the drug becomes useless.
As a result, health workers were forced to dump around 570 doses of vaccine at the Aurora Medical Center where the pharmacist worked. However, some people were given the medicine that was missed.
Grafton police detectives reported that 57 patients received those injections.
The pharmacist told investigators he knew “that people who received the vaccines would think they had been vaccinated against the virus when in fact they were not,” authorities said.
The value of the spoiled doses is estimated to be between $ 8,000 and $ 11,000.
The suspect is currently being held at the Ozaukee County Jail.
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