CINCINNATI (AP) — A former Ohio hospital worker has filed a lawsuit after she was fired for refusing to get a flu shot because she's vegan.
Sakile Chenzira (sah-KEEL'-aye CHEN'-zeer-ah) was a longtime customer service representative at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She was fired in December 2010 after refusing to get the shot because she doesn't believe in consuming any animal products.
The flu vaccine contains a small amount of egg protein.
Chenzira filed a lawsuit against the hospital in 2011 alleging religious discrimination and seeking a minimum of $650,000. The case is now set for trial in July.
The hospital argues that veganism is not a religion.
Requiring employees to get a flu shot is standard at many hospitals because of their close contact with vulnerable patients, but the practice can be controversial.
