Police puzzled over test results in fake vax probe

Police investigators probing allegations that a doctor issued fake vaccination certificates are puzzled by a number of his patients, who insist they were vaccinated by the suspect despite showing a low count in antibody tests.

According to local media, Larnaca police have almost reached the end of an investigation following a complaint about a hospitalized patient whose vaccination record has been brought into question by a distressed relative in the waiting room.

A 53-year-old Larnaca-based medical doctor was arrested last month on multiple charges in connection with an investigation into allegations of fake vaccination certificates.

The doctor maintained his innocence before and after his arrest, which took place after a complaint was filed by a private citizen on behalf of a 41-year-old male, who later died in hospital after being infected with COVID-19.

Local media said the individual accused the doctor of providing a fake vaccination certificate, with investigators trying to establish whether vaccines had been given in the first place and if a greater number of patients could be involved.

After a second infected patient died, police managed to secure voluntary blood samples from 26 out of 102 persons who were listed as having been vaccinated by the physician.

Following a blood sample analysis, the antibody count in 7 of the 26 samples was described as being low.

Experts say many COVID-19 antibody tests are not specifically designed to detect antibodies that develop as a result of vaccination.

But police are reportedly going back to the doctor to seek a medical explanation regarding his deceased patients, whose relatives insist their loved ones confided in them before dying that they were never truly vaccinated.

Local media said investigators are nearly done with their work and a file is soon expected to land on the attorney general’s desk for further instructions.

It was not fully clear which blood test was conducted in the case.

Cypriot health officials insist no tests can be used to verify whether a person is immune to COVID-19 on the basis of an antibody count.