LANCASTER COUNTY — A licensed practical nurse has filed a lawsuit against Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, claiming she experienced religious discrimination when she was fired after refusing to get a flu shot.

Shyanne Aukamp-Corcoran filed the federal lawsuit on Dec. 5, 2019 in Pennsylvania's Eastern District Court. The lawsuit states that Aukamp-Corcoran is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts.

According to the lawsuit, Penn Medicine issued a mandatory vaccination policy on Sept. 1, 2012 in which all health care professionals were "required to be immunized against influenza each flu season by November 15 unless a specific exemption is requested and approved."

The lawsuit goes on to say that the company's policy states that if an employee's request for a medical contradiction or religious reason is approved, than they need not apply in the future, as it is considered a 'permanent' exemption.

Aukamp-Corcoran began working for the company in 2001, according to the lawsuit and became an LPN in 2015. The lawsuit states she received the flu vaccine from the time it was mandatory until she got married in November of 2016.

At that time, she began attending Refton Brethren in Christ Church (BIC) where she began learning about 'Christian teachings' according to the lawsuit.

In May of 2017, Aukamp-Corcoran suffered a miscarriage and began researching the potential dangers of the flu vaccine, discovering that they contained "certain toxins, and event parts of potential human cells." The lawsuit also states she discovered the vaccine had the potential to increase the risk for miscarriage.

While continuing to attend BIC, the lawsuit claims that the plaintiff came to believe her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and believes her religion requires her to keep her body pure from anything that would contaminate it, according to the lawsuit.

Due to her medical concerns and religious beliefs, she determined that she would no longer receive any vaccinations.

After submitting a request for exemption, the suit claims that the company denied it on Dec. 22, 2017.

The suit also claims that a third-party reviewer reasoned that Aukamp-Corcoran had tattoos and piercings, saying she did not actually view her body as a temple that should be preserved.

Aukamp was told she had to get the vaccination within 7 days of the date she was denied exemption, but did not, according to the suit.

The suit claims she was then fired on January 5, 2018 for failing to receive the vaccination.

In a statement, Penn Medicine said, "As a general practice, we do not comment on ongoing litigation or personnel matters. Many hospitals across the country have mandatory flu vaccination programs to provide for the health and safety of their patients, visitors and employees."