153 Houston Methodist workers out of jobs after vaccine protest
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A total of 153 workers at Houston Methodist Hospital have either resigned or have been fired after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Earlier this month, the hospital reported 178 employees had been suspended for not complying with the hospital's vaccine requirement for workers. It appears most of those employees chose to leave the hospital system or not get fully vaccinated.
In a statement issued by Houston Methodist on June 9, a total of 24,947 employees complied and are fully vaccinated.
On May 28, a group of 117 Houston Methodist employees sued the hospital system for requiring the vaccine as a condition of employment. The medical giant gave workers a deadline of receiving the vaccine by June 7.
The lawsuit asked a federal court to prevent the hospital group from taking action against the employees. However, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, calling it frivolous.
READ MORE: Judge dismisses suit against Houston Methodist Hospital over vaccine requirement
"We can now put this behind us and continue our focus on unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation," hospital president and CEO Marc Boom said in a statement at the time of the dismissal. "All our employees have now met the requirements of the vaccine policy and I couldn't be prouder of them."
READ MORE: Medical workers sue Houston Methodist over job requirement to receive COVID vaccine
Jennifer Bridges, who once worked for Houston Methodist, told ABC13 that she does not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine because it does not have full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
READ MORE: Group of Houston Methodist nurses host walkout over COVID-19 vaccine job requirement
The vaccine is currently being used in the U.S. under emergency use authorization from the FDA. Pfizer began its full application for full approval last month.
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