MN Health Care Workers Sue Hospitals Over Vaccine Mandate

ACROSS MINNESOTA — At least 180 health care workers across the state are suing the Mayo Clinic, Fairview Health Services, University of Minnesota Physicians, Regions Hospital, and other Minnesota hospitals over vaccine mandates.

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court Monday, claims that the vaccine mandates enforced by those institutions violate religious freedoms and other laws.

Gregory Erickson — who is representing the health care workers — told the Star Tribune that his clients believe "it's a coin flip whether they're in worse shape with COVID or the vaccine."

"Plaintiffs' employers are placing a substantial burden on their employees not to practice their religious-based objection to the COVID-19 vaccination or live under the threat of having their religious exemption withdrawn at any time," the lawsuit states.

Dozens of other institutions across Minnesota — from private businesses and schools to the federal reserve bank in Minneapolis — have their own vaccine requirements. At least two restaurants in the Twin Cities enforce vaccine mandates.

Read more about the lawsuit at Star Tribune.