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Board Suspends License Of Pharmacist Who Tried To Destroy COVID-19 Vaccine

Steven Brandenburg Faces Possible Criminal Charges

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A bottle of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is seen on a table
A bottle of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on a table Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Topeka, Kan. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo

A state board has suspended the license of a Wisconsin pharmacist accused of ruining more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine because he thought it was unsafe.

Steven Brandenburg was working at Advocate Aurora Health in Grafton, about 20 miles north of Milwaukee, when he was arrested last month.

The arrested followed an investigation that found Brandenburg intentionally removed 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration in an attempt to spoil them.

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He has since been released from custody and has not been criminally charged.

The Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board said Wednesday that Brandenburg cannot practice pharmacy while suspended. The board’s order says Brandenburg agreed to the suspension “in order to focus” on possible charges against him.