A former Leander firefighter who refused to get a vaccination because of his religious beliefs has sued the city for firing him.
The termination came in March 2016, after firefighter Brett Horvath refused to get the vaccination or wear a surgical mask for his entire 24-hour shift or transfer to a “less desirable” position, said his lawyer, Matt Bachop. He said Horvath refused in February 2016 to get the shot for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus because it was against his Christian beliefs.
The Leander Fire Department had previously exempted Horvath from vaccinations because of his religious beliefs against prophylactic vaccinations, Bachop said Tuesday. Leander Fire Chief Bill Gardner dropped the exemption after February 2016.