Vial of COVID-19 vaccine next to a microscope close up. Photo: AdobeStockHouston Appeals Court Split Over Race Discrimination Suit Involving COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
In a split decision, the First Court of Appeals rejected a discrimination claim from a doctor of Indian descent, finding Harris County had cause to fire him for theft.
December 18, 2024 at 03:31 PM
4 minute read
What You Need to Know
- A doctor working for the Harris County health department was allegedly fired for unauthorized distribution of COVID-19 vaccine doses that were about to expire.
- The doctor alleged his firing was racially motivated and the theft accusation was pretextual.
- The trial court denied the county's motion to dismiss but an appeals court reversed in the county's favor.
A three-judge panel was split 2-1 over a race discrimination case involving the unauthorized distribution of COVID-19 vaccines that led to the firing of a Harris County physician.
Dr. Hasan Gokal, a medical practitioner of Indian descent, was fired after he distributed a batch of vaccines that were expiring to at-risk friends and family.
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