The California Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of San Jose firefighters who were allegedly placed on “involuntary, unpaid leave” for failing to comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The U.S. Sixth District Court of Appeals examined a case filed by the group of firefighters who were part of a group of more than 200 Santa Clara County employees placed on leave for “failing” to get vaccinated or a booster shot for COVID-19.

Firefighters working for the City of San Jose declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19, per a public health order, due to their religious convictions. They requested the exemption stating “the use of fetal cells in the inoculations” and “being forced to inject their bodies—a