A Harris County public health doctor has been fired and faces state charges after allegedly stealing a bottle of the COVID-19 vaccine, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced on Thursday.
Local authorities say Dr. Hasan Gokal on December 29 took a vial containing nine doses of the vaccine while working at a county vaccination post in Lindsay / Lyons Park in Humble.
“He abused his position to put his friends and family in front of people who had gone through the legal process to be there,” said Ogg in a press release. “What he did was illegal and he will be held accountable to the law.”
Gokal’s lawyer, Paul Doyle, said the vaccine would expire if it had not been used.
“Dr. Gokal is a dedicated public servant who has ensured that doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which would otherwise expire, go into the arms of people who met the criteria for receiving it, “said Doyle.” Harris County would have preferred Dr. Gokal to let vaccines go to waste and are trying to undermine this man’s reputation in the process of supporting this policy. We are looking forward to our day in court to fix this mistake. “
Gokal first told a fellow county employee about the theft, and that employee reported it to supervisors, prosecutors said.
Harris County Public Health investigated the issue and fired Gokal. Mishandling of vaccines can result in the loss of government funds for the county, Ogg said.
Representatives of the public health organization said they were unable to comment because of pending litigation.
Gokal’s sick leave is still active, according to the Texas Medical Board. He has been practicing in the United States for 21 years, including nine years in Texas.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and prosecutor Christian Menefee’s offices contacted prosecutors, who accused him of theft by a public official, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $ fine. 4,000.