An ambulance arrives at the Houston Methodist Hospital emergency room amid a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Houston
HOUSTON (Texas, US), June 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by 117 workers at a Texas hospital over its requirement that they be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a ruling, US District Judge Lynn Hughes upheld Houston Methodist Hospital’s policy mandating employees be vaccinated.
Jennifer Bridges, a nurse and the lead plaintiff in the case, had argued that if she was fired for refusing a vaccine, it should be considered wrongful termination. She also said the vaccines are experimental and dangerous.
The judge did not find merit in either argument.
“Methodist is trying to do their business of saving lives without giving them the COVID-19 virus,” Hughes wrote in a five-page decision. “It is a choice made to keep staff, patients and their families safer.
“Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else.”
The judge said Texas law only protected employees from being fired for refusing to commit an illegal act and that the requirement is consistent with public policy.
Three vaccines received emergency authorisation in the United States, though they have not received full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also said last month that US companies can mandate that employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 with certain exceptions.
In a statement, Houston Methodist called the lawsuit frivolous and said it was pleased with the judge’s decision. It said that 24,947 hospital employees have met the requirements. — NNN-AGENCIES
