A Wisconsin pharmacist was arrested Thursday after police said he intentionally spoiled more than 500 doses of coronavirus vaccine.
According to authorities, the incident took place in a hospital in Grafton, outside Milwaukee. The pharmacist, who has not yet been publicly identified, has been arrested on recommended charges of first-class reckless danger, safety, criminal property damage and the expiration of prescription drugs, The Washington Post reports.
The vaccine is slowly being rolled out across the country, first for health workers and residents of long-term care facilities. According to authorities, the pharmacist, who worked for Aurora Health Care, wrote that he had taken 57 vials out of the fridge because he knew the vaccine would not be effective. “It will delay vaccinations for hundreds of people in Wisconsin, who reported 3,810 new cases of coronavirus and 42 deaths on Thursday.
Authorities estimate the value of the doses could be as much as $ 11,000. The vials can be stored at room temperature for 12 hours, but cannot be frozen again after thawing. Aurora Health said when the vials were discovered from the refrigerator last Saturday, dozens of doses were administered quickly, but the company learned on Thursday that it had been taken out of the refrigerator twice, and it was unclear whether the doses provided full protection.
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