Dr. Hasan Gokal, who was fired after distributing 10 doses of Covid-19 vaccine left in an already-opened vial rather than letting them go to waste, at home in Sugar Land, Texas, February 9, 2021.
(CNN) A Texas public health doctor fired earlier this year for using leftover doses of Covid-19 vaccine on eligible individuals is suing Harris County for $1 million, saying he was fired for giving "the vaccine to too many individuals with 'Indian' sounding names."
Dr. Hasan Gokal was charged with theft by a public servant but a Harris County grand jury declined to indict him, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's office
Gokal was a medical advisor for Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and was involved with the county's first distribution of the vaccine on December 29, 2020, according to the lawsuit filed in Harris County Tuesday.
The vaccination distribution site Gokal was supervising shut down with 10 doses of Covid-19 vaccine left in an already-opened vial. Gokal first asked people at the site if they wanted to be vaccinated, according to the lawsuit, but most had already received the vaccine.
Gokal then called a superior at HCPH and informed them he was going to find people to give the vaccine to, and the superior affirmed his decision, the lawsuit said.
mattsylvanian on September 22nd, 2021 at 21:31 UTC »
I cannot believe Harris County Public Health advised him to throw away vaccines rather than administer them. Is there any accountability for the person or people who told him that?
campelm on September 22nd, 2021 at 20:40 UTC »
"Gokal was told by HCPH Human Resources that he "did not 'equitably' distribute the vaccine and that Dr. Gokal gave the vaccine to too many individuals with 'Indian' sounding names," the lawsuit says.
HCPH also told Gokal he "should have instead thrown the vaccines away," according to the lawsuit."
When racism meets beauocracy you get stupidity x 2
Level1builder on September 22nd, 2021 at 20:26 UTC »
I can't believe they took that to a grand jury. I hope that guy gets his money.