Emanuele Cremaschi / Contributor/Getty Images
The Springfield News-Leader reported that a man calling himself the "vaccine cop" entered a Missouri Walmart on Mondy in an attempt to alert staff.
Christopher Key stated to pharmacists that they would be "executed," if they continued to give COVID vaccine shots.
Key, a native of Alabama, is said to be an anti-vaxxer.
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According to reports, a man calling himself the "vaccine cop" entered a Walmart in Springfield to notify staff. He told pharmacists that they could be "executed" for carrying out COVID-19 shots.
According to the Springfield News-Leader, Christopher Key, an Alabama anti-vaxxer, was able to live-stream the encounter on Facebook on August 16.
Key is shown with a few supporters praying in the supercenter's parking lot before they enter. One person could be heard saying, "Thanks, Lord Jesus for waking Springfield up" and "Help us put the fear in these pharmacists."
"Okay guys, this is vaccine police. We are about to enter Walmart. Key stated in the live stream of 30 minutes that we will notify Walmart and pharmacists to inform them of the violation.
He said, "We're going tell them that 45,000 people died within three days after receiving the vaccine." After being put on notice, if they give another vaccine, they can be hanged and executed.
Staff members can be seen locking up the pharmacy and putting a "No Pharmacist On Duty" sign at the door as the group moves towards it in the video. The News-Leader was told by a local resident that Key had been online and warned staff.
Key stated that he was not trying to intimidate or fear anyone in the video. "I'm just saying that I want to let you know that if this continues, you will be held responsible."
Continue the story
Key made numerous baseless claims about the COVID-19 vaccine, including claiming that over 40,000 people died within three days. The group leaves the store towards the end. Key tells a police officer that the pharmacists closed the door when he wanted to get the vaccine.
The Washington Post reported Key had also visited a CVS and Walgreens on the same day. The Post claims that Key has falsely claimed medical benefits in the past.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that the vaccine is an effective tool in combating COVID-19. According to the CDC, those who have been fully vaccinated might experience a "breakthrough" case. A small number of people will still be hospitalized, may die or become ill from the virus.
Missouri experienced an increase in COVID-19 during the summer, as the Delta variant spread across the country. Local news reported that the state's ICUs have treated over 600 patients since July 30. Only 43% of Missouri's population was fully vaccinated, data shows.
According to the Washington Post, Springfield is currently fighting COVID-19 due to low vaccination rates and misinformation.
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