Hong Kong doctor gets warning after giving woman Sinovac jab instead of contraceptive injection

A doctor who gave a woman a Sinovac shot instead of a contraceptive injection in 2021, is to be served a warning letter by the city’s medical watchdog for misconduct.

The doctor who operates a private clinic in Tai Po, Hui Ka-fung, was found guilty of professional misconduct on Tuesday at a Medical Council’s disciplinary inquiry.

The council’s ruling noted that Hui had failed to confirm his patient’s identity before giving the injection. It also said should Hui had explained to the patient the risk and the possible side effects of receiving the Sinovac vaccine, the medical blunder could have been avoided.

Hui did not attend the hearing, but he admitted to his wrongdoing through a lawyer.

The inquiry panel said the incident did not cause serious injury or damage to the patient, while the patient wrote to the council last year indicating her intention of not calling the doctor to account.

The panel also said Hui had adopted remedial measures and reviewed the process of conducting consultations for patients after the incident, including a more thorough checking of patients’ identity.

It believed that Hui has learned a lesson and that the risk of committing the same mistake again is low, thus, came up with the decision of issuing Hui a warning letter.

The incident happened in August 2021 after the female patient went to the Tai Po clinic to receive her second contraceptive injection. It is understood that the patient noted a difference in the syringe used and uncovered the doctor’s mistake.

The doctor had offered to re-do the contraceptive injection, but the woman, who has already received two BioNTech shots, declined. She experienced dizziness and palpitation following the injection and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for treatment.