By — Todd Richmond, Associated Press Todd Richmond, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/wisconsin-hospital-worker-arrested-for-spoiled-vaccine-doses Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Wisconsin hospital worker arrested for spoiled vaccine doses Nation Dec 31, 2020 5:30 PM EST MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Authorities arrested a suburban Milwaukee pharmacist Thursday suspected of deliberately ruining hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine by removing it from refrigeration for two nights. READ MORE: 3 questions about coronavirus vaccine safety, answered by a physician The Grafton Police Department said the former Advocate Aurora Health pharmacist was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property. The department said in a news release that he was in jail. Police did not identify the pharmacist, saying he has not yet been formally charged. Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr told reporters during a teleconference Thursday afternoon that the pharmacist deliberately removed 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration overnight on Dec. 24 into Dec. 25, returned them, then left them out again on the night of Dec. 25 into Saturday. A pharmacy technician discovered the vials outside the refrigerator on Saturday morning. Workers used the vaccine to inoculate 57 people. Bahr said their doses were ineffective. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Todd Richmond, Associated Press Todd Richmond, Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Authorities arrested a suburban Milwaukee pharmacist Thursday suspected of deliberately ruining hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine by removing it from refrigeration for two nights. READ MORE: 3 questions about coronavirus vaccine safety, answered by a physician The Grafton Police Department said the former Advocate Aurora Health pharmacist was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property. The department said in a news release that he was in jail. Police did not identify the pharmacist, saying he has not yet been formally charged. Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr told reporters during a teleconference Thursday afternoon that the pharmacist deliberately removed 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration overnight on Dec. 24 into Dec. 25, returned them, then left them out again on the night of Dec. 25 into Saturday. A pharmacy technician discovered the vials outside the refrigerator on Saturday morning. Workers used the vaccine to inoculate 57 people. Bahr said their doses were ineffective. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now