He will spend three years in prison for ruining a batch of Covid vaccines

In a statement released before receiving his punishment, Brandenburg said he was “very embarrassed” and accepted responsibility for his actions. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the man apologized to his colleagues, family and the community.

Most of the doses handled were then destroyed, but after 57 people had already been inoculated. These doses are believed to still be effective, but some of those vaccinated went through weeks of uncertainty, anger, anxiety and angst, according to documents known during the trial.

Prosecutors requested a three-year and five-month prison sentence. Brandenburg faced a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and fines of $ 250,000 for each offense.

Brandenburg admitted to inventing conspiracy theories and claiming that he was a prophet and that vaccines were the product of the devil. He also expressed the belief that the Earth is flat and that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were false.

Recently, Brandenburg secretly substituted saline for a flu shot he was due and convinced several colleagues to secretly change the vaccine as well, court documents show.