'Disgusting': GOP infuriates Pennsylvanians after their robocalls spark false vaccine hopes

Some Pennsylvanians got their hopes up about a possible coronavirus vaccine, only to find the calls were coming from the local Republican Party.

The Bucks County Republican Party asked area residents to attend petition signing events scheduled this month ahead of the May 18 municipal primary, but the queries showed up on caller ID as Johnson and Johnson -- which makes an effective one-dose vaccine against the deadly virus, reported the Courier Times.

Several call recipients posted warnings on social media about the misleading calls, which county GOP chair Pat Poprik blamed on an "unintended technological error."

"We share the frustration of Bucks County families resulting from the uncertain and delayed statewide vaccine rollout," Poprik said. "We deeply apologize for any confusion caused by this unintended technological error."

Poprik said a third-party vendor was hired to make the calls, but one of the phone numbers they used was previously listed to Johnson and Johnson in some areas.