WI Pharmacist Believed Coronavirus Vaccine Was Not Safe: Report

GRAFTON, WI — A former pharmacist of Advocate Aurora Health Hospital in Grafton appeared in Ozaukee County Circuit Court on Monday after investigators said he sought to ruin coronavirus vaccine because he believed it was not safe for people.

Steven Brandenburg, 46, is accused of intentionally trying to ruin hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine doses by taking them out of refrigeration for two nights. The damaged doses were estimated to be worth up to $11,000.

Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol told the judge that the hospital has walked back some of the information it provided. The vials in question have not since been destroyed and may still be viable.

During the court hearing, held over Zoom, Gerol said time is needed to test the evidence and get clarification from Aurora. If the Moderna vaccine is still good, Brandenburg could be charged with attempted criminal property damage, a misdemeanor.

As of Monday, Brandenburg was facing two felony charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and criminal damage to property.

A judge set Brandenburg's bond at $10,000. He is also to have no contact with Aurora employees and must turn all firearms over to the sheriff's office by 5 p.m. Monday.

Brandenburg's next hearing is set for Jan. 19.

According to a TMJ4 report, Brandenburg told investigators that he believed the vaccine was not safe for people and would "harm them and change their DNA," the TMJ4 report said.

Brandenburg is an "admitted conspiracy theorist," according to the Grafton Police Department.

Both approved vaccines, by Pfizer and Moderna, have gone through phase three trials and have been given emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicating that they are safe.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the data demonstrates that the known and potential benefits of the vaccines outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with the coronavirus disease.