Laura Parker Russo, a 54-year-old biology teacher with no medical qualifications, was arrested at her New York home over the weekend for illegally injecting a 17-year-old boy with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
After receiving the dose, the teen went home and told his mother who immediately called the police reports CBS New York.
Laura Parker Russo, 54, was arrested over the weekend after illegally injecting a 17-year-old boy with the COVID vaccine
Russo’s son had his 17-year-old friend over on New Year’s Eve when he asked the biology teacher for the vaccine because his mother did not want him to get it. After cleaning the unidentified teen’s skin in her living room, she then administered the J&J vaccine, which is only approved for Americans 18 years or older.
A video of the incident was released on Monday which was captioned with:
“never been so uncomfy in his life.”
Police were notified shortly after as the teen had told his mother about the jab. Russo was then placed under arrest and was charged with the unauthorized practice of a profession.
A department press release said:
“The mother had not given permission or authority to have her son injected with a Covid vaccine and called police.
After an investigation was conducted, it was discovered that Laura Parker Russo is not a medical professional or authorized to administer vaccines and was placed under arrest without incident.”
Authorities are now investigating how the 54-year-old managed to acquire a vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, considering her lack of medical qualifications.
Herricks Public Schools, where Russo teaches, said in a statement that she has been removed from the classroom and reassigned as the case is investigated.
The mother-of-six is set to appear in court on January 21st.