500 Doses of the Moderna COVID19 vaccine were destroyed by a now-former employee at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Wisconsin. The coronavirus vaccine vials were “intentionally removed” from refrigeration, forcing officials to throw out nearly 500 doses, according to an internal investigation.
Aurora Medical Center officials had initially suspected the Moderna vaccines, which must be kept between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, had inadvertently been left out at their Grafton hospital location on December 26.
A later investigation found the individual “acknowledged that they intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration,” officials said Wednesday.
The medical center, which is part of Advocate Aurora Health, has notified “appropriate authorities for further investigation” and added that the individual is no longer employed by Aurora. The individual has not been identified.
“We continue to believe that vaccination is our way out of the pandemic. We are more than disappointed that this individual’s actions will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine. This was a violation of our core values.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, Aurora Health Care said, more than 21,000 health care workers had received the first of two injections at the company’s centers.
This news comes as providers and first responders across the country from New York to Texas are getting their initial doses and as the more contagious mutant UK version is seen in Colorado.
Moderna Vaccine
The vials can remain at room temperature for up to 12 hours. That allowed clinicians to salvage some of the doses.
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