A Harris County Public Health doctor is being charged for taking a vial of COVID-19 vaccine.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced says Dr. Hasan Gokal allegedly stole the vial that contained nine doses while working at the county vaccination site at Lyndsay Lyons Park, in Humble, on December 29. A week later, he is said to have told a fellow Harris County Public Health employee, who then reported him to supervisors.
Mishandling vaccine can result in a loss of government funding to the county, according to Harris County Public Health, which first investigated the matter and then fired the doctor.
“He abused his position to place his friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the lawful process to be there,” Ogg said. “What he did was illegal and he’ll be held accountable under the law.”
The Class A Misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Gokal is being prosecuted by the Public Corruption Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
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