Continued trial of doctor accused of issuing bogus COVID vax exemption

The trial of a registered doctor suspected of issuing fraudulent COVID vaccination exemption certificates continues at the District Court.

Being called by the prosecution today to the stand was expert witness Dr. Li Yim-chu, a consultant to the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare with the Hospital Authority.

76-year-old Tai Kong-shing and a business associate Kriselle Young are accused of having issued more than 3,700 exemption certificates between June and September 2022 -- most on the grounds that the patients are allergic to COVID vaccines.

Expert witness Dr. Li says before determining whether a patient is unfit for COVID inoculation, a doctor must review the patient's medical history.

She was presented with 12 patient records including one belonging to a female patient who testified earlier. who told the defendant that her heart would race after drinking coffee, strong tea or alcohol.

Dr. Li says such symptoms are too vague and did not establish allergy to the vaccines, noting that Tai did not recommend referring the patient to the specialist.