A conspiracy theorist pharmacist has been accused of damaging with hundreds of Covid-19 vaccine doses at a US hospital.
Steven Brandburg, 46, told detectives he believed the jab would "change people's DNA" - a claim which has been emphatically rubbished by scientists.
Brandburg, who worked at Aurora Medical Center in Wisconsin, reportedly removed 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from a refrigerator and left them in the warm overnight.
He was sacked after admitting tampering with the vials, and subsequently arrested.
A legal statement seen by CBS claims Brandenburg told detectives that the jab ""was not safe for people and could harm them and change their DNA".
He also admitted that damaging the vials was an "intentional act".
The suspect was described as an "admitted conspiracy theorist".
The medical centre said it was forced to throw away more than 500 doses of the vaccine, saying the cost was around £8,100.
Some of the vaccine doses which had not been correctly refrigerated were given to patients, it is claimed.
Police say they do not believe it put anyone at medical risk.
The suspect was arrested on two felony charges, Criminal Damage to Property and Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.
Brandenburg will next appear in court on January 19.
Studies found the Moderna vaccine is 94.5 per cent effective.
It is one of a number of jabs developed around the world, and the UK government has secured seven million doses.
The Moderna vaccine is yet to be licenced in the UK, but two jabs - produced by Pfizer and Oxford University/AstraZeneca have been approved.
