Fake Covid jab exemptions: government bans 7 doctors accused of issuing fake certificates from taking part in vaccine programme
- Police earlier arrested six doctors on suspicion of falsely issuing exemption certificates without proper consultation, while seventh practitioner still wanted by force
- Department of Health says cases were also referred to city’s medical regulator, which could decide to hold a disciplinary hearing
Health authorities in Hong Kong have barred seven doctors from administering Covid-19 vaccines after they were accused of issuing jab exemption certificates without performing the proper checks, with the cases being referred to the city’s medical regulator.
The decision by the Department of Health on Wednesday came as several leading medical professionals said the government had been right to invalidate over 20,000 certificates issued by the suspects.
The seven practitioners were prohibited from taking part in the city’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, with all jabs given to them as part of the initiative to be impounded, a spokesman for the department said.
“The Department of Health has also suspended the involved doctors’ participation in other subsidy programmes under the department. They can no longer issue further medical exemption certificates under the vaccine pass arrangement,” he said.
Health authorities also referred the cases to the Medical Council, which could decide to hold a disciplinary hearing. If found guilty of wrongdoing, the doctors could be struck off the list of registered practitioners.