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Network for Public Health Law
Preventing and Treating Communicable Conditions

Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital

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Overview

Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital (U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas, June 12, 2021): A federal court rejected arguments by a Texas hospital employee that the hospital’s COVID-19 employee vaccination mandate requiring vaccination or termination, was unlawful. Texas law only protects employees against termination for refusing to commit criminal acts, and receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is not an illegal act. Additionally, the hospital did not coerce the employees into receiving the vaccine. Employees could still choose to refuse vaccination. Further, while language in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act highlighting individuals’ option to refuse an emergency use vaccine sets standards for HHS, it does not prevent employer-based mandates. Read the full decision here.

View all cases in the Judicial Trends in Public Health – July 16, 2021.

View all cases under “Preventing and Treating Communicable Conditions.”