Judge Dismisses Texas Hospital Workers’ Suit Challenging Covid Vaccine Mandate

A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 117 workers at a Texas hospital for demanding vaccination against COVID-19.

In a ruling passed on Saturday, US District Judge Lynn Hughes upheld the Houston Methodist Hospital guidelines that require staff to be vaccinated.

Jennifer Bridges, a nurse and lead plaintiff in the case, had argued that dismissal for refusing a vaccine should be considered an unlawful dismissal. She also said the vaccines are experimental and dangerous.

The judge found no justification in either argument.

“Methodist is trying to save lives without giving them the COVID-19 virus,” wrote Hughes in a five-page decision. “It’s a choice made to make employees, patients, and their families safer.

“Bridges are free to choose whether to accept or reject a Covid-19 vaccine; But if she refuses, she just has to work somewhere else. “

The judge said Texas law only protected employees from dismissal because they refused to commit an illegal act and that the requirement was consistent with public policy.

Three vaccines received emergency approval in the United States despite not receiving full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission also said last month that, with certain exceptions, U.S. companies can require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a statement, the Houston Methodist called the lawsuit frivolous and said she was satisfied with the judge’s decision. 24,947 hospital employees had met the requirements, it said.

An attorney for the hospital staff who filed the lawsuit did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

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